In reality, not solely does the race for the championship and the 15 playoff factors that include it don’t have any clear favourite, however the driver finest 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 thought of Larson – a former sequence champion and one of the vital proficient drivers within the sport – wouldn’t be in any respect stunning however one for vital 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 Photographs
When Larson’s try and run “the Double” – the Indianapolis 500 and Coca-Cola 600 in the identical day in Could – was aborted due to climate in each places, Larson was solely capable of full the five hundred.
Whereas NASCAR gave Larson a waiver for lacking the race, he nonetheless collected zero factors for the occasion. Which means 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 with the ability to end that race, was further motivation,” group proprietor Rick Hendrick stated of Larson’s win on Sunday. “I’m glad that NASCAR gave us the waiver.
“I can’t let you know the frustration all of us had with the best way 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 not at all sure to hold on to the factors lead however the upcoming schedule bodes nicely for him.
On the last 4 tracks earlier than the playoffs – Richmond, Michigan, Daytona and Darlington – Larson has received on all however Daytona and owns a collective six wins on the others.
Nonetheless, one slip-up may drastically alter the standings.
Chase Elliott, Hendrick Motorsports, NAPA Auto Elements Chevrolet Camaro
Photograph by: Nigel Kinrade / NKP / Motorsport Photographs
Elliott is simply 10 factors behind Larson however has led only one lap within the final 4 races. He appeared like he may 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 may nicely have the very best 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 experience to 3rd within the standings, 15 factors behind Larson.
It’s a formidable run of consistency which may repay handsomely. Though Reddick, too, has by no means received on the 4 upcoming tracks, he has been in competition to win a number of instances within the final 5 races.
At one level this season, Denny Hamlin appeared like he was cruising to the common season title however has run right into a tough stretch over the summer season. 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 huge benefit these forward of him don’t – he has received 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 Photographs
Hamlin and his No. 11 Joe Gibbs Racing group have additionally appeared like they may win at just about each observe 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 certain, however with each remaining contender having needed to overcome some adversity this season, the title race is way from over.
