Kyle Larson Prevails at Sonoma

Elk Grove, California’s Kyle Larson made a pass for the lead with eight laps to go win the Toyota/Save Mart 350 for his third win of the 2024 Season.

The newly repaved 1.99-mile road course showcased a wild beginning to the race with seven caution flags falling before the halfway point. The race was caution-free for the final 51 laps and it came down to Kyle Larson, Martin Truex Jr, and Chris Buescher. Late in the race, Larson had tires that were 13 laps fresher than Truex and Buescher.

Truex kept close to Larson towards the end until running out of fuel on the final lap, resulting in a very slow stroll to the checkered flag as the fans cheered him on. MTJ would end up finishing 27th instead of gaining a top-five finish.

“I didn’t know what we were doing as far as strategy,” said the 31-year-old Larson. “I was just out there banging laps away. … So I was like, these guys have to pit another time maybe but then when they said I had to go race and then pass those guys, I got a bit nervous. I knew I’d be quick from the get-go but thought once the tires came up to temp it would even off too much.”

“Thankful we had enough grip. Thankful too, those guys got racing and Martin never got clear really to where I’d be stuck in third. Just an awesome, awesome race.”

Michael McDowell finished second after passing Chris Buescher on the final lap and taking advantage of Martin Truex Jr running out of fuel. Chris Buescher would finish third with Chase Elliott and Ross Chastain rounding out the top five. Chastain had a collision with Kyle Busch on the final lap that sent Busch back to 12th place.

“Proud of everybody,” Buescher said after the race. “That was a good one to be close and in the hunt. Kind of a tough weekend until today. If you had told us we’d gather some playoff and stage points, we’d be happy. Just needed a bit more coming to the finish line.”

AJ Allmendinger, Ryan Blaney, Tyler Reddick, Christopher Bell, and Todd Gilliland finished out the top ten. Two Australian Supercar drivers made their NASCAR Cup Series debuts, those being Will Brown and Cam Waters, finishing 31st and 35th respectively.

The Cup Series heads next to Iowa Speedway for the inaugural Iowa Corn 350. The race will be on Sunday night at 7pm EST on the USA Network.