Yahoo Autos Kyle Larson Unsure What Caused Race-Ending Crash at Atlanta, Fellow Playoff Driver Affected
Kyle Larson entered the playoffs on Sunday with the most points and will exit Atlanta with a DNF after the nightmare scenario happened. With five laps to go in the first stage, his car snapped, and his correction sent him spinning into the wall. When he crashed back down the front stretch, fellow playoff contender Chase Briscoe struck him in the right rear. Both Briscoe and Larson are out after the contact.
Both drivers have been released by the infield medics.
“I’m okay," Larson told NASCAR on NBC. "Thankfully, everything is held up well inside the car. That was a huge hit. Not really sure what caused it, I was actually tight, loaded in the corner. That was pretty far around the corner when it stepped out. It all happened pretty fast.
I was already loaded in the corner, I just got loose when you’re spinning or getting ready to spin you have to turn right. I just overcorrected, I guess. It’s a bummer."
As they run, Larson is still safely a few spots above the cutline but will look to Watkins Glen and Bristol to rebuild his buffer in his attempt to win his second championship, the first coming in 2021.
On the other hand, Briscoe finds himself in a must-win situation at Watkins Glen or Bristol to keep his surprising playoff hopes alive. As they run, he lies 33 points below the cut line in 16th place.
Not all hope is lost for Briscoe and Stewart-Hass Racing, which won the final race of the regular season to sneak into the playoffs.
"It's unfortunate," Briscoe said. "Now it puts us in a much win situation. We were in a must-win situation last week. We just have to go to Watkins Glen and Bristol, two good tracks for us."
You Might Also Like
