Actually, not solely does the race for the championship and the 15 playoff factors that include it haven’t any clear favourite, however the driver greatest positioned to win is considerably of a shock.
Following his late-surge to victory in Sunday’s Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Kyle Larson returned to the highest of the sequence standings and now holds a 10-point benefit over his Hendrick Motorsports teammate Chase Elliott.
Usually, the concept of Larson – a former sequence champion and one of the crucial gifted drivers within the sport – wouldn’t be in any respect stunning however one for essential distinction: He has run one much less race then all the opposite contenders this season.
Kyle Larson, Hendrick Motorsports, HendrickCars.com Chevrolet Camaro
Photograph by: Rusty Jarrett / NKP / Motorsport Pictures
When Larson’s try and run “the Double” – the Indianapolis 500 and Coca-Cola 600 in the identical day in Might – was aborted due to climate in each areas, Larson was solely in a position to full the five hundred.
Whereas NASCAR gave Larson a waiver for lacking the race, he nonetheless collected zero factors for the occasion. Meaning Larson has been competing on a degree this season that retains him forward of his competitors however mainly having ran one much less race than everybody else.
“I feel the frustration within the 600, not having the ability to end that race, was additional motivation,” crew proprietor Rick Hendrick mentioned of Larson’s win on Sunday. “I’m glad that NASCAR gave us the waiver.
“I can’t inform you the frustration all of us had with the way in which that weekend ended up. I do assume this was a celebration greater than regular due to the frustration all of us had not ending the job.”
Even with a series-high 4 wins, Larson is certainly not sure to hold on to the factors lead however the upcoming schedule bodes effectively for him.
On the last 4 tracks earlier than the playoffs – Richmond, Michigan, Daytona and Darlington – Larson has gained on all however Daytona and owns a collective six wins on the others.
Nonetheless, one slip-up might enormously alter the standings.
Chase Elliott, Hendrick Motorsports, NAPA Auto Elements Chevrolet Camaro
Photograph by: Nigel Kinrade / NKP / Motorsport Pictures
Elliott is barely 10 factors behind Larson however has led only one lap within the final 4 races. He seemed like he might contend for wins the final two races however was hobbled by a penalty in every. He has no profession wins on the 4 remaining tracks.
So far as momentum goes, Tyler Reddick might effectively have the most effective shot to catch Larson.
Reddick has racked up eight top-10 finishes in his final 9 races and has put collectively 5 consecutive top-10s for the second time this season, which has powered his journey to 3rd within the standings, 15 factors behind Larson.
It’s a formidable run of consistency which might repay handsomely. Though Reddick, too, has by no means gained on the 4 upcoming tracks, he has been in rivalry to win a number of instances within the final 5 races.
At one level this season, Denny Hamlin seemed like he was cruising to the common season title however has run right into a tough stretch over the summer time. He has completed twenty fourth or worse in 5 of his final seven races.
Hamlin, who sits fourth in factors and 43 behind Larson, has one large benefit these forward of him don’t – he has gained on all on 4 of the remaining tracks within the common season. His collective 14 victories at these tracks features a win within the spring Richmond race this 12 months.
Denny Hamlin, Joe Gibbs Racing, FedEx Toyota Camry Tyler Reddick, 23XI Racing, Monster Power Toyota Camry
Photograph by: Danny Hansen / NKP / Motorsport Pictures
Hamlin and his No. 11 Joe Gibbs Racing crew have additionally seemed like they may win at nearly each monitor this season.
Three different drivers stay inside 100 factors of Larson – Willilam Byron trails by 95 factors, Martin Truex Jr. by 96 and Christopher Bell by 98.
They’re longshots to make sure, however with each remaining contender having needed to overcome some adversity this season, the title race is much from over.
