Larson wins at Bristol and Tempers Flare, It’s Bristol Baby!

The NASCAR Cup Series came into Bristol with four drivers being eliminated from the playoffs after tonight. A lot could happen in an intense race like this.

Martin Truex Jr and Denny Hamlin led the field to the green flag to begin the final race of the Round of 16 at Bristol. Truex led the first six laps until Chase Elliott took the lead on lap 7 in his #9 Hooters Chevrolet. Elliott would go on to lead to the competition caution on lap 41. Tyler Reddick had some communication issues with his radio and Kurt Busch had a loose wheel early on. Around lap 92, Denny Hamlin and Kyle Larson battled for the lead after Larson had taken the lead from Chase Elliott. Hamlin would end up with the lead by lap 94. Kyle Larson would take the lead with four laps left in the stage as he and Hamlin struggled to get around Bubba Wallace. Hamlin took it back with three to go and got around Wallace. Denny Hamlin would go on to win Stage One with Larson in second.

Stage One Top 10:

1. Denny Hamlin
2. Kyle Larson
3. Chase Elliott
4. Brad Keselowski
5. Ryan Blaney
6. Kevin Harvick
7. Kyle Busch
8. Christopher Bell
9. Martin Truex Jr
10. William Byron

The race restarted on lap 136 with Denny Hamlin and Kyle Larson on the front row. Brad Keselowski quickly jumped to second and was behind Larson, who took the lead. Then on lap 139, Brad Keselowski took the lead and Kyle Larson lost a couple of spots. Denny Hamlin would fight back to take the lead from Keselowski on lap 145. The caution came out on lap 168 when Ryan Newman had a broken suspension, collecting a couple of others in the process that included the #99 of Daniel Suarez smoking. Aric Almirola had fluids leaking and to get work done under the hood as the race restarted on lap 182. A huge wreck took place on lap 220 as Anthony Alfredo was turned by Corey Lajoie and came down on BJ McLeod, who gets heavy damage. Justin Haley was also involved. The race was halted a bit for a red flag, then the race resumed on lap 233 with 18 laps left in Stage Two. Kyle Larson jumped out in front with Keselowski looking to clear Hamlin for second. Hamlin began to chase Larson down again in the closing laps. With 11 laps left in the stage, Keselowski joined the battle for the lead as he was all over the back of Denny Hamlin. Kyle Larson went on to win Stage Two, holding off Denny Hamlin.

Stage Two Results:

1. Kyle Larson
2. Denny Hamlin
3. Brad Keselowski
4. William Byron
5. Chase Elliott
6. Kevin Harvick
7. Ryan Blaney
8. Christopher Bell
9. Tyler Reddick
10. Kyle Busch

After Stage Two, Harvick, Blaney, and Logano all clinched spots for the Round of 12. Kevin Harvick took the lead at the restart on lap 260, who had older tires. Ryan Blaney moved up to second from Christopher Bell. Blaney would then take the lead on lap 265. On lap 298, Blaney ran into lapped traffic and Harvick almost had a shot to take the lead, but Blaney was able to hang on. Blaney gave up the lead on lap 308 to Kevin Harvick. Kyle Larson charged up the field with fresh tires and took the lead from Harvick on lap 337. A caution came out on lap 364 when Quin Houff lost his left rear tire after spinning. Ricky Stenhouse Jr spun on pit road, saving himself from damage. The race resumed on lap 371 with Kyle Larson out in front. Quin Houff had a flat and hit the wall to bring out another caution with 112 laps to go. Harvick had a good restart with 104 laps to go, Larson holds on to the lead and Hamlin gets to second. A few laps later, Denny Hamlin ended up in the wall after making contact with Kyle Larson, which gave Hamlin a flat.  This would bring out another caution. On the restart, it was a Hendrick Motorsports 1-2 with Larson and Elliott battling for the lead. Elliott took the lead with around 85 laps to go. Harvick and Elliott began battling for the lead with under 60 laps to go and because of that, Kyle Larson began to enter the frame. Kyle Busch had a flat tire with 45 laps to go and this would put him in a bad situation in terms of advancing. Busch would go one lap down and end up right on the cut line. Busch went by Elliott and Harvick and there were lapped cars all over the place. Harvick made contact with Elliott, giving Elliott a flat tire and had to pit. Harvick took the lead with Larson in second. With 27 to go, Elliott showed his frustration with Harvick as he passed by him. Then Christopher Bell got a flat tire, now he’s in a bad situation. Bell got on pit road, but the tire was stuck, and had difficulty getting the tire out. Harvick went up high and Larson was side-by-side for a moment. With four laps to go, Larson got by Larson but Harvick almost applied the bump and run to Larson, but Larson saved it. Byron had a big run, trying to get Harvick. Kyle Larson held off the rest and will win at Bristol! After the checkered flag, Kevin Harvick and Chase Elliott exchanged words, finger-pointing, and a few shoves. Tempers have flared, it’s Bristol Baby. Tyler Reddick, Kurt Busch, Aric Almirola, and Michael McDowell will not advance to the next round. Harvick and Elliott talked again, even involving Harvick confronting a reporter as he tried to have a conversation. Both drivers went to discuss in Elliott’s hauler after that

2021 Bass Pro Shops NRA Night Race Top 10:

1. Kyle Larson
2. Kevin Harvick
3. William Byron
4. Ryan Blaney
5. Alex Bowman
6. Brad Keselowski
7. Martin Truex Jr
8. Erik Jones
9. Denny Hamlin
10. Matt DiBenedetto