Kyle Larson (5) led William Byron (24), Chase Elliott (9), and Kurt Busch (1) into turn 1 after a restart at the Hollywood Casino 400 at Kansas Speedway. (Photo copyright 2021 by Brian Turrel)
by Brian Turrel
Kyle Larson continued his hot streak Sunday at the Kansas Speedway, winning the Hollywood Casino 400, his third victory in a row. This is Larson’s second streak of three wins, and he has won 9 races in total this season, nearly matching the 10 races won in 2007 by Jeff Gordon.
A storm rumbling through the area delayed the race, which was red-flagged for about 20 minutes on the 11th lap. A heavy cross-wind picked up after the rain passed, and Larson admitted after the race that he had to alter his approach heading into turn 2 to account for the wind.
Larson overcame car damage suffered on an early brush with the wall, but led for 130 of the race’s 267 laps. Chase Elliott made a push for a win on the last 10 laps, but didn’t have the grip to pull off a move outside, making contact with the barrier and dropping back behind Larson.
Kevin Harvick also made a push for the lead with about 35 laps to go, but ended up in third place.
After the race, Larson’s crew chief Cliff Daniels credited the car’s strong performance to adjustments made based on the team’s previous race at Kansas Speedway, giving up some short-run speed, but boosting the long-run performance.
Because of Larson’s run of success, three of the four remaining playoff spots remain up for grabs and will be decided next weekend at Martinsville Speedway in Virginia. Chase Elliott, Denny Hamlin, and Kyle Busch hold those spots now. Ryan Blaney, who crashed out of the race late, dropped from second to fifth in the playoff standings.
Actor Eric Stonestreet, grand marshal for the race, sported a cap from Piper High School, his alma mater. (Photo copyright 2021 by Brian Turrel)
Night settled in over Kansas Speedway as the crowds headed home. (Photo copyright 2021 by Brian Turrel)
Race winner Kyle Larson pointed skyward in memory of Hendrick team members who died in a plane crash on this date in 2004, including team owner’s son Ricky Hendrick, known for wearing his ball caps backward. (Photo copyright 2021 by Brian Turrel)
The Youth Chorus of Kansas City performed “God Bless America” before the race. (Photo copyright 2021 by Brian Turrel)
Msgr. Stuart Swetland, president of Donnelly College, offered the invocation before the race. (Photo copyright 2021 by Brian Turrel)
Kyle Larson crossed the finish line as the winner of the Hollywood Casino 400. (Photo copyright 2021 by Brian Turrel)
The front tire changer on Kyle Larson’s pit crew sprinted to the left side of the car. (Photo copyright 2021 by Brian Turrel)
Daniel Suarez (99), B.J. McLeod (78), and Austin Dillon (3) raced side-by-side heading into turn 1. (Photo copyright 2021 by Brian Turrel)
Erik Jones (43), Matt DiBenedetto (21), and Brad Keselowski (2), raced into turn 2. (Photo copyright 2021 by Brian Turrel)
Kyle Larson (5) and William Byron (24) powered past the lapped car of Chad Finchum (66) along the front stretch. Byron led 57 laps, but finished in 6th place. (Photo copyright 2021 by Brian Turrel)
Kyle Larson (5) took the inside line against Matt DiBenedetto (21) into turn 1. (Photo copyright 2021 by Brian Turrel)
Update: The storm has moved into Missouri in a northeastern direction, and racing has resumed. A rain delay temporarily halted racing at the Hollywood Casino 400 Cup Series race Sunday afternoon at the Kansas Speedway in Kansas City, Kansas. There were high winds, rain and lightning. Parts of the Missouri side of the Kansas City region are under a tornado watch, but not the Kansas side, according to the National Weather Service. There is a tornado warning near St. Joseph, Missouri, about 50 miles to the north.Cars returned to the pit road to wait out the weather on Sunday afternoon at the Kansas Speedway in Kansas City, Kansas.
20-year-old rookie Nick Sanchez upset 19-year-old Ty Gibbs in the ARCA Reese’s 150 race Saturday night at the Kansas Speedway in Kansas City, Kansas. It was the first victory in the ARCA series for Sanchez. Gibbs led most of the race, but Sanchez took the lead after a restart to win. Gibbs won the entire ARCA Menards Series championship Saturday on points accumulated during the season. Racing in the Hollywood Casino 400 NASCAR Cup Series is scheduled at 2 p.m. Sunday at the Kansas Speedway in Kansas City, Kansas. For more information, see https://www.kansasspeedway.com/. Nick Sanchez passed Ty Gibbs at the end of the ARCA Reese’s 150 race Saturday night at the Kansas Speedway.Nick Sanchez, left, and Ty Gibbs, right, after the ARCA race Saturday, in front of the grandstands at the Kansas Speedway. More photos from Saturday’s ARCA Reese’s 150 race at the Kansas Speedway in Kansas City, Kansas.Ty Gibbs, winner of the entire ARCA Menards Series championship, in front of the grandstands on Saturday at the Kansas Speedway in Kansas City, Kansas. More photos from Saturday’s ARCA Reese’s 150 race at the Kansas Speedway in Kansas City, Kansas. More photos from Saturday’s ARCA Reese’s 150 race at the Kansas Speedway in Kansas City, Kansas. More photos from Saturday’s ARCA Reese’s 150 race at the Kansas Speedway in Kansas City, Kansas. More photos from Saturday’s ARCA Reese’s 150 race at the Kansas Speedway in Kansas City, Kansas. More photos from Saturday’s ARCA Reese’s 150 race at the Kansas Speedway in Kansas City, Kansas. More photos from Saturday’s ARCA Reese’s 150 race at the Kansas Speedway in Kansas City, Kansas. More photos from Saturday’s ARCA Reese’s 150 race at the Kansas Speedway in Kansas City, Kansas.
