TC Daily Pit Stop: Larson Scores First Win of 2023; Smith Notches 17th Place in Cup Debut; Plus Toyota Owners 400 Highlights
TC Daily Pit Stop: Monday, April 3rd, 2023
Kyle Larson Triumphs in Strategy-Filled Cup Race from Richmond
PHOTO CREDIT: Tim Parks, HHP, Courtesy of Team Chevy
Like in several Richmond races over the years, tire strategy again played a major role in deciding the outcome of Sunday’s Toyota Owners 400, where Kyle Larson picked up his first victory of the year.
Larson, who started from ninth after the cancelation of qualifying, started Sunday’s race in pursuit of Hendrick Motorsports teammate William Byron, as between them, the two drivers continued to dominate the NASCAR Cup Series, leading 210 of 400 laps.
“It’s really cool. We’ve been close to winning a couple,” Larson said post-race. “William [Byron] has been extremely good this year. It was going to be between probably him, the 19, us, and the 20 was really good.”
Josh Berry utilized a great strategy call in the final stage to score a runner-up finish, in just his sixth NASCAR Cup Series start. Ross Chastain recorded a third-place run, while Christopher Bell and Kevin Harvick completed the top-five.
RACE RESULTS
RACE RECAP
DRIVER STANDINGS
OWNER STANDINGS
PLAYOFF GRID
INSPECTION REPORT
Video: William Byron Turned by Christopher Bell on Late-Race Restart
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Video: Ryan Blaney Team Members Tumble Trying to Get Wedge Wrench; Blaney Penalized
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Video: Denny Hamlin Crashes JJ Yeley on Lap 45 at Richmond
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Chandler Smith Earns Lead-Lap 17th-Place Result in Cup Debut at Richmond
PHOTO CREDIT: Kaulig Racing, Twitter
It was a big weekend for Chandler Smith in Richmond, Virginia, after scoring his first career NASCAR Xfinity Series victory at the track on Saturday, before continuing his career-defining weekend with a solid debut in the NASCAR Cup Series.
Smith, driving a third entry for Kaulig Racing, wheeled the No. 13 Chevrolet Camaro to a 17th-place finish, maintaining a position on the lead-lap, and outrunning both of his teammates - AJ Allmendinger and Justin Haley - by more than ten spots.
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