NASCAR at Sonoma 2021 Results: Kyle Larson Wins in Overtime for 2nd Straight Victory
AP Photo/D. Ross Cameron
Kyle Larson is the winner of the third NASCAR road-course race of the season, coming away with the victory at the Toyota/Save Mart 350 at Sonoma Raceway on Sunday.
The win was his second consecutive, third of the year and the fourth straight victory for Hendrick Motorsports.
After winning the first two stages, Larson held on to his lead when it mattered most, maintaining command through a pair of late restarts and overtime to earn his second consecutive win.
NASCAR @NASCAR
CHECKERED FLAG: Three times a [email protected] holds off his @TeamHendrick teammate for yet another 2021 win! pic.twitter.com/OQ4GueuCIl
Just as things looked like they’d finish with the two-stage leader crossing the finish line first, a caution gave everyone on the track a second chance to catch him with five laps to go.
NASCAR @NASCAR
A lot happened to bring out the caution.<br><br>Take a look for yourself ⬇️. pic.twitter.com/8ZKnfQ3mil
And as things restarted, another wreck forced overtime.
FOX: NASCAR @NASCARONFOX
Cautions. Breed. Cautions. https://t.co/7Un3f3Z0VM pic.twitter.com/hRSjDp5Rp0
Order of Finish
1. Kyle Larson
2. Chase Elliott
3. Martin Truex Jr.
4. Joey Logano
5. Kyle Busch
6. Kurt Busch
7. Ross Chastain
8. Denny Hamlin
9. Alex Bowman
10. Ryan Blaney
Full results at NASCAR.com
Recap
Larson dominated through the early part of the race, coming away with wins on the first two stages to earn a pair of playoff points and further separate himself from the rest of the pack with his 11th stage win of the year.
Jeff Gluck @jeff_gluck
Make that *11* stage wins for Larson now. https://t.co/nvgQdAi0e6
Jeff Gluck @jeff_gluck
OK, get this…<br><br>Kyle Larson has 11 stage wins so far this season (16 races).<br><br>Last year’s stage wins leader (Denny Hamlin) had 11 stage wins for the entire SEASON (36 races).
He took it all the way to the end to secure his second straight victory.
As for the other road-course winner, Chase Elliott finished the first stage in second place behind Larson. In Stage 2, he pulled in at fifth, behind Joey Logano, Alex Bowman and Kurt Busch.
He took control with 45 laps to go, passing Busch, who had the lead out of the restart in the final stage. The other Busch brother, Kyle, took second place shortly after.
Logano got in on the fun at the front briefly, but as things wore on, Elliott and Larson, who are Hendrick Motorsports teammates, traded the lead.
Kelly Crandall @KellyCrandall
Kyle Larson was 4.3 seconds behind teammate Chase Elliott when taking second place. Larson is now 1.2 seconds behind his teammate as this run continues. That 5 is unbelievable today #NASCAR
NASCAR @NASCAR
There’s absolutely no stopping @KyleLarsonRacin today.<br><br>No. 5 to P1. pic.twitter.com/SlUWdvbTqO
Larson managed to maintain the lead with 11 laps to go, coming out ahead of a restart that followed a rough turn that shook up the top 10.
William Byron was knocked out of contention by the crash, which also involved Corey LaJoie, Kevin Harvick, Ross Chastain and more.
NASCAR @NASCAR
Turn 11 runs out of space quick at @RaceSonoma.<br><br>Some good runs get spoiled at the hairpin turn. pic.twitter.com/WWuopYFoSi
After a clean first stage, the final stages had their fair share of action.
The caution came out for Ricky Stenhouse Jr. early in Stage 2 after he drove into the wall, shortly after Tyler Reddick pitted because of tire smoke, and Ryan Blaney showed up with sudden fender damage.
NASCAR @NASCAR
Substantial damage for @Blaney 👀. pic.twitter.com/RLlKyE9UNX
NASCAR @NASCAR
A big issue for @StenhouseJr sends him into the wall and brings out the caution! pic.twitter.com/kTlfcc0KoZ
Christopher Bell, who has struggled since winning at the Daytona Road Course and hasn’t finished in the top 10 in the last six races, also had some trouble early.
PRN @PRNlive
Christopher Bell is on pit road with no fuel pressure, reports @prnbrett. The hood is up on the 20 car.
The early issue cost him his standing too soon on a course that could have given him a chance to get back to his early season form.
Kelly Crandall @KellyCrandall
Christopher Bell is actually still on the lead lap, but right in front of leader Kyle Larson. Competition caution on lap 10 as the field completes lap six #NASCAR
He missed out on a high finish again, ending in 24th.
Bubba Wallace, who took a penalty in between the first and second stages for speeding on pit road, managed to climb his way back into the top 10 partway through the second stage. But after a flat tire, he fell back by a lap.
He worked his way back into the lead lap and finished the day in 14th.
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