Yahoo Autos Kyle Larson Finds Redemption with Brickyard 400 Win, Teases Return to Indy 500
Kyle Larson inherited a front-row starting spot on the second-to-last restart after Brad Keselowski ran out of fuel.
Ryan Blaney leaves the Brickyard with a third-place finish and disbelief in how the end shook out.
Larson becomes the first driver with four wins and continues to collect points towards the playoffs.
Kyle Larson finds redemption at Indianapolis after his Indy 500 run and subsequent missing of the rain-shortened Coca-Cola 600 led to disappointment and drama for the 2021 NASCAR champion.
The 2024 NASCAR season has been marred with fuel-save races and overtime finishes; the return of the Brickyard 400 was no different. The leaders took their final pit with 42 laps to go, and everyone knew they would have to stretch to make it to the checkers even if overtime did not occur. With four laps remaining, Kyle Busch spun, bringing out the caution and setting up the first overtime attempt.
The leaders were running about half a second off pace at the end of the race as everyone was trying to save fuel. Brad Keselowski, leading, pitted 10 laps before the rest of the leaders with 52 laps to go. On the first overtime restart, after the leaders Keselowski and Ryan Blaney already passed the choose cone with the leader electing for the bottom line, he ran out of gas and dove into the pits.
Larson inherited a front-row starting spot and, more importantly, the bottom line, which was the preferred restarting position for the race, ultimately giving the third-place driver the advantage. While Blaney had the right to fire first, in the confusion, it appears that last week's race winner did not take full advantage, and Larson got the jump on the restart.
The lap would be aborted and a second overtime restart set in action after a major pileup brought out a red flag for wall repairs.
Blaney, extremely upset, watching a crown jewel win slip through his fingers was heard over the radio complaining about NASCAR giving the win to Larson.
"There's no way they should've let that go green," Blaney said over the radio. "That's ridiculous. They just gave it to him. It's f*cking over, I'm on the top. I ain't going to win from the top. Gave it to f*cking golden boy."
On the second restart, Larson pulled ahead, and Blaney wiggled, falling to third as Tyler Reddick, who led 40 laps during the race, passed him for second.
On the penultimate lap, Ryan Preece spun, hitting the interior wall, and continued to roll without being able to re-fire. With the leaders halfway around the track, NASCAR made the controversial call to not immediately waive a yellow and set up for a third overtime attempt. Instead, Larson passed the white flag, and the yellow was thrown shortly after, ending the race under yellow with a Larson victory.
Larson believes that winning the Brickyard 400 in its return helps replace the pain of his "Double" weekend failure; he then promised to try and run it again next year, even though nothing can be confirmed yet.
"I love you, Indiana fans, and I know you love me too," Larson shouted to the grandstands. "How 'bout we come back next May and try to kiss the bricks in the Indy car?"
The crowd roared in response, which the driver of the No. 5 will use as a selling point to be allowed to attempt the double again in 2025.
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