Kyle Larson Wins First Xfinity Series Race since 2018 at Watkins Glen

After a late collision between the leaders of Ty Gibbs and William Byron, it was Kyle Larson who cleared from the smoke to take the checkered flag at Watkins Glen on Saturday. He led seven of the 82 laps in the Sunoco Go Rewards 200 to earn his first Xfinity Series win since 2018 and his 13th career Xfinity Series win, driving the No. 88 Chevrolet for Hendrick Motorsports. Larson won the Cup race at Watkins Glen a year ago which led him to his Championship run.

“I got lucky,” Larson gave a laugh while celebrating with his crew. “My only shot really was if the 54 (Gibbs) and the 17 (Byron) got racing and I just wanted to help William down the front stretch as much as I could and they battled up the ‘esses’ and I tried to help him get cleared of the bus stop- and they raced side-by-side into there and got together, the seas parted and I was able to get through.”

“I had AJ (Allmendinger) behind me so I was just trying to hit my marks as best as I could. He definitely had me nervous- out in front of him.”

Larson had to hold off the series points leader, AJ Allmendinger, who finished second in the No. 16 Kaulig Racing Chevrolet, and Sammy Smith, who finished in third. Smith won the first stage, while William Byron took the second stage. The door opened for Larson to win after Ty Gibbs and William Byron spun out while battling for the lead with four laps to go.

Noah Gragson finished fourth and Kaz Grala, driving for Big Machine Racing, finished fifth. Sam Mayer, Riley Herbst, Sheldon Creed, Josh Berry, and Jeremy Clements finished out the top ten. Brad Perez made his NASCAR Xfinity Series debut for Emerling-Gase Motorsports and finished in an impressive 20th place.

Justin Allgaier ended up finishing last in the race after wrecking out just four laps into the race. Daniel Hemric also had a rough day, as he wrecked head-on into the tire barrier in turn five on lap 59, taking him out of contention.

Four races remain in the Xfinity Series regular season, as the next race takes place at Daytona International Speedway for the Wawa 250 powered by Coca-Cola on Friday, August 26th at 7:30 PM EST.