Kyle Larson expressed his gratitude to JR Motorsports after winning the Andy’s Frozen Custard 300 Xfinity Series race at Texas Motor Speedway, stating, “Thanks to JRM for letting me come run this thing here today.” Larson’s victory, which included securing a giant custard trophy, seemed to validate his earlier “embarrassing” comments. However, after the subsequent NASCAR Cup Series race at Texas, Larson’s appreciation for Dale Earnhardt Jr. and JR Motorsports may have diminished.
How the Favor Unfolded
The situation began when Connor Zilisch suffered a lower back injury in a Talladega crash the previous weekend. In response, Rick Hendrick stepped in to help Dale Earnhardt Jr. by assigning Kyle Larson, Hendrick Motorsports’ top driver, to pilot the No. 88 Chevrolet in the Xfinity race. While this move aided Earnhardt Jr.’s team, it may have inadvertently provided Larson’s Cup Series competitors with valuable insights into his race strategies.
Xfinity Race: Lessons for the Field
The Xfinity Series event was marked by 11 cautions, most occurring in the final stage. Larson skillfully navigated these restarts, moving up from eighth to third after a crash involving Sammy Smith pushed the race into overtime. Ultimately, Larson clinched his 17th Xfinity victory. However, his approach to restarts and race management became an “open script” for his Cup Series rivals to study and exploit.
Cup Series: Déjà Vu with a Twist
The following day’s Würth 400 Cup Series race at Texas featured 12 cautions, many late in the event, mirroring the Xfinity race’s chaotic finish. Larson led a race-high 90 laps and won Stage 2, but several strong contenders-Ryan Blaney, Tyler Reddick, and Michael McDowell-were close behind, seemingly applying lessons learned from Larson’s Xfinity performance.
Larson later reflected on his struggles, explaining to Frontstretch:
“Yeah, I just got predictable. Um, him [McDowell] and Reddick just anticipated it. They were formed up, ready to go. And I kind of launched away from the 12. Even though you’re going slow, the draft and pushes really matter. So I just didn’t have that behind me.”
During a late restart, Larson lined up next to McDowell amid a series of cautions. McDowell, aided by a push from Reddick, reacted more quickly than Larson, who had lost the drafting help from Blaney behind him. This led to a decisive double overtake, with Larson admitting on the radio,
“He [McDowell] was a fraction quicker.”
A crucial pit call by McDowell’s No. 71 team on lap 221, taking just two tires, vaulted him to second. Following a major wreck on lap 236, McDowell seized the lead on the restart as Larson went high in Turns 1 and 2. Larson recounted,
“They had me cleared before, or the 71 had me cleared before 1. I was hoping he would leave me a lane for some clean air. But he closed off, and I got tight, and then got tight again in 3 and 4, ran Reddick up out of the groove. So yeah, just kind of the race fell apart right there for me.”
McDowell’s Near Triumph and Logano’s Win
Michael McDowell, who had not won since Indianapolis nearly two years ago, came close to breaking his drought. After his pivotal pit stop, McDowell overtook Larson and, with five laps to go, cleared Blaney for the lead. However, Joey Logano was in pursuit. On lap 264, McDowell attempted a strong block on Logano down the backstretch, resulting in both cars moving toward the inside wall. Logano surged ahead in Turn 3 as McDowell spun out, allowing Blaney to capitalize as well. McDowell ultimately finished 26th after hitting the SAFER barrier.
McDowell reflected post-race:
“Joey got a run there; I tried to block it. I went as far as I think you can probably go. And then when Blaney slid up in front of me, it just took the air off of it, and I lost the back of it. Still had the fight in me. I guess I should have conceded at that point, but I’m just proud of everyone at Spire Motorsports. I know that’s not the day we wanted, but we had an opportunity to win the race. I just really hate it for everybody on this Spire Motorsports No. 71 Delaware Life Chevrolet. We were giving it everything we had there to try to keep track position.”
Aftermath and Takeaways
The day ended in disappointment for several drivers. For Larson, the experience suggested that his openness in the Xfinity race may have given away too much information, allowing his Cup Series rivals to adapt and ultimately outmaneuver him. Going forward, Larson may reconsider how much he reveals in lower series races, especially with so much at stake in the Cup Series.
