Kyle Larson Steals the Win in Exciting Xfinity Race at COTA

Circuit of the Americas provided another exciting and thrilling finish on Saturday’s NASCAR Xfinity Series race, as Kyle Larson overtook Austin Hill and Shane van Gisbergen in the final corners of the race to score the win for Hendrick Motorsports and the No. 17 Chevrolet. The number that Rick Hendrick’s late son, Ricky, drove in his racing career. 

Shane van Gisbergen and Austin Hill were battling it out for the win on the final restart, when SVG restarted as the leader, but was then shoved up the track by Austin Hill going into turn one. Hill took the lead, but then SVG went to work to chase down Hill. He finally did so on the final lap, when he took the chance to return the favor to Hill. SVG did what any other driver would have done, but the one that benefited the most was Larson, who opted for fresh tires previously. 

“It feels really special because seems like every time we’ve run the 17 car, any of us four drivers, we’re always fast on track and somehow give it away,” Larson said. “Today I was definitely not the fastest, but we were patient. I knew the 21 [Austin Hill] had shoved SVG [van Gisbergen] through [Turn] 1 and if he got to him, it could get dicey.”

“I was just trying to be patient. I was thinking about when to make my move and when I saw him shoving him through [turns] 15 and 16, I thought this could get good and thankfully I cleared them off in that corner. Pretty crazy. Just wild there. Really cool, just awesome to win here at COTA.”

Shane van Gisbergen did take the checkered flag in second, but he was hit with a 30-second penalty for exceeding track limits during that battle with Hill. This would result in a 27th-place finish for the New Zealander. 

While both drivers were not happy with the outcome of the race, SVG still showed a smile and showcased how serious he is about the move to NASCAR, as well as how much fun he is having.

“It was a crazy race and the car got better and better,” van Gisbergen said. “On that last restart, he just drove through me in [turn] one. I guess I stood up for myself. But it was pretty awesome racing with [teammate] AJ [Allmendinger] and in the end just turned into a mess. That’s how it is.”

“It was really fun. Wish I could have gotten through to the lead, but the car [Larson] just snuck through there. He was driving really well. A lot of fun.”

SVG and his teammate, AJ Allmendinger, put on an amazing battle, as many fans had anticipated going into this season. SVG certainly had to go to work. However, during that overtime restart, Allmendinger was pushed to the side and would ultimately fall to 10th. 

John Hunter Nemechek finished third, Cole Custer was fourth and Parker Kligerman rounded out the top five. Rookie Jesse Love, Austin Green, Chandler Smith, Sam Mayer, and Allmendinger rounded out the top 10.

For Austin Green and finishing in the top ten in his Xfinity debut, it was certainly special for the son of former Xfinity Champion, David Green.  

Parker Kligerman won the first stage, and at first, Brandon Jones won stage two, but he was hit with a cutting-the-course penalty on the final lap of the stage, handing that stage win to Riley Herbst instead.

The Xfinity Series will be back in action next Saturday with the ToyotaCare 250 at Richmond Raceway. The race will be at 1:30 pm EST and this will be the first Dash 4 Cash race of the season.