Breaking news

NASCAR Cup Pocono I

Kyle Larson left in 'disbelief' after losing Pocono win

Kyle Larson won’t have much time to think about the one that got away, but it surely will still sting.

Jim Utter

Jim Utter

Edited: Jun 26, 2021, 11:08 PM

Copy link

Share on Facebook

Share on Twitter

Share on WhatsApp

Share on Linkedin

Share on Pinterest

Share on Viber

Add as a preferred source

Larson had his fifth NASCAR Cup Series points victory well in hand on the final of 130 laps Saturday at Pocono Raceway until he felt something strange as his No. 5 Chevrolet rode through Turn 2.

Suddenly, his left-front tire went flat and Larson’s No. 5 Chevrolet ended up slamming into the Turn 3 wall as his Hendrick Motorsports teammate Alex Bowman sailed by to inherit the victory.

Larson’s first thoughts of the events after being checked out at the infield care center?

“I guess disbelief still,” a dejected Larson said. “I don’t know, a little bit laughable just because I can’t believe it.”

Larson rolled into the Pocono doubleheader weekend on a four-race winning streak, including a victory in the non-points All-Star Race.

Unlike his most recent wins, Larson didn’t dominate Saturday’s race. And he patiently worked over several laps late in the race trying to run down Bowman for the lead, finally completing the pass with four laps to go.

But unfortunately, that turned out to be not enough.

“Hate that we didn’t get another win. Would have been cool to win five in a row,” Larson said. “Just wasn’t meant to be I guess today.

“Yeah, I felt something like right in the middle of the tunnel. Wasn’t quite sure what it was yet. It finally kind of shredded halfway through the short chute there. Couldn’t turn.

“Cool that Alex still did (win), a Hendrick car with another win. Cool to keep (Rick Hendrick, team owner)’s streak going.”

Read Also:

One positive, Larson said, is that unlike a normal weekend, there is no time to rehash Saturday’s disappointing finish.

Larson will start Sunday’s second race of the doubleheader from the rear of the field because his team will have to use a backup car.

“I’m sure our backup car will be just as good as that one. Feel like we learned a lot about our car today,” Larson said. “The track came to us a lot. I think we should be good.”

We want your opinion!

What would you like to see on Motorsport.com?

Take our 5 minute survey.

- The Motorsport.com Team

Read and post comments

Read also :

Share Or Save This Story

Copy link

Share on Facebook

Share on Twitter

Share on WhatsApp

Share on Linkedin

Share on Pinterest

Share on Viber

Previous article Bowman wins Pocono in dramatic finish as Larson blows tire

Next article Kyle Busch loses clutch, stretches fuel to claim Pocono win

Top Comments

There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?

View More & Comment

More from

Jim Utter



Erik Jones agrees to multi-year contract extension with Legacy Motor Club

NASCAR Cup

NASCAR Cup

Erik Jones agrees to multi-year contract extension with Legacy Motor Club



Goodyear's option tires at Richmond "were like Mario Kart with a star"

NASCAR Cup

NASCAR Cup

Richmond II

Goodyear's option tires at Richmond "were like Mario Kart with a star"



NASCAR: Austin Dillon move was "really close to crossing the line"

NASCAR Cup

NASCAR Cup

Richmond II

NASCAR: Austin Dillon move was "really close to crossing the line"

More from

Kyle Larson



Denny Hamlin's slim championship odds get boost with Martinsville pole

NASCAR Cup

NASCAR Cup

Martinsville II

4 h

Denny Hamlin's slim championship odds get boost with Martinsville pole



NASCAR Cup Martinsville starting lineup: Denny Hamlin rockets to pole

NASCAR Cup

NASCAR Cup

Martinsville II

5 h

NASCAR Cup Martinsville starting lineup: Denny Hamlin rockets to pole



What Kyle Larson needs to do to clinch NASCAR Cup title early at Martinsville

NASCAR Cup

NASCAR Cup

Martinsville II

What Kyle Larson needs to do to clinch NASCAR Cup title early at Martinsville

More from

Hendrick Motorsports



Winners and losers from a frantic NASCAR Cup race at Talladega

NASCAR Cup

NASCAR Cup

Talladega II

Winners and losers from a frantic NASCAR Cup race at Talladega



Official race results: NASCAR Cup Talladega Chase race

NASCAR Cup

NASCAR Cup

Talladega II

Official race results: NASCAR Cup Talladega Chase race



Kyle Larson wins wild Talladega NASCAR Cup race after charging from 11th on final lap

NASCAR Cup

NASCAR Cup

Talladega II

Kyle Larson wins wild Talladega NASCAR Cup race after charging from 11th on final lap

Latest news



Max Verstappen clears the air with Liam Lawson, but stays tight-lipped on Racing Bulls F1 seat

Formula 1

F1 Formula 1

Mexican GP

8 min

Max Verstappen clears the air with Liam Lawson, but stays tight-lipped on Racing Bulls F1 seat



"I'll bombard myself with melatonin": Kimi Antonelli admits to driving "tense" and "tired" on cusp of F1 title

Formula 1

F1 Formula 1

Mexican GP

27 min

"I'll bombard myself with melatonin": Kimi Antonelli admits to driving "tense" and "tired" on cusp of F1 title



Ryo Hirakawa could have "easily" made Q2 in F1 Mexico GP without late traffic

Formula 1

F1 Formula 1

Mexican GP

1 h

Ryo Hirakawa could have "easily" made Q2 in F1 Mexico GP without late traffic



Carson Kvapil wins Martinsville as Justin Allgaier takes NASCAR O’Reilly points lead

NASCAR O'Reilly

NOAP NASCAR O'Reilly

Martinsville II

1 h

Carson Kvapil wins Martinsville as Justin Allgaier takes NASCAR O’Reilly points lead

Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.

From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.

You have 2 options:

Subscribe now Already subscribed? Sign in here

Already disabled your adblocker?
Reload page

Manage Alerts

Subscribe