Kyle Larson wins first stage of Bristol Cup race
Kyle Larson dominated the first stage of the Food City 500.
Photo by: Matthew T. Thacker / NKP / Motorsport Images
He led all 125 laps in the first segment at Bristol Motor Speedway. Martin Truex Jr., Erik Jones, Joey Logano, Jimmie Johnson, Chase Elliott, Jamie McMurray, Denny Hamlin, AJ Allmendinger and Kyle Busch rounded out the top 10.
Larson took the high line and began lapping cars after 12 circuits. Timmy Hill was the first victim. After 32 circuits, only 29 cars remained on the lead lap.
The first caution — which became the competition caution — was triggered on Lap 54 when Kurt Busch spun down the front straightaway. Chris Buescher was collected in the incident. The 24-lead lap cars pitted on Lap 60 with Larson at the point followed by Martin Truex Jr., Chase Elliott, Jamie McMurray, Kyle Busch, Ryan Blaney, Brad Keselowski, Erik Jones, Kevin Harvick, Joey Logano and Jimmie Johnson.
NASCAR race director ordered the flagman to display the red flag 67 laps in, at the 28:01-minute mark. After five minutes, 10 seconds, the red flag was withdrawn and the race returned to yellow-flag conditions.
Larson restarted the race on Lap 72, followed by Truex, McMurray, Elliott, Kyle Busch, Blaney, Keselowski, Jones, Johnson and Logano. The field jumbled in the first two circuits with Elliott moving up to second. Blaney, Keselowski and Kyle Busch were shuffled to mid-field. Blaney was lapped as his power steering failed in the car.
Jones passed Elliott for second place on Lap 88. Ten laps later, Truex moved back to second.
Three laps before the break, Ty Dillon slid up into the Turn 2 wall trying to remain on the lead lap. He fell off but was the lucky dog — 23rd in the 39-car field.
Keselowski recovered to 17th. Kurt Busch was 35th, four laps down.
For Larson, it was his second stage win. The No. 42 has finished in the top 10 in all but one stage this season.
“I love this place, especially when it’s not a one-lane track…and you can go high and low,” Larson said. “There’s not a better track.”
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