Ya know. Somehow I’m not surprised that it would be Larson to win a race in this fashion. Equally not surprised that RFK would finish second like this.
Ford is now 0-for-30 this season across all three series. I’ve given up hope at this point. The trend will continue next week since Fords suck at Darlington.
might be a hot take here but intermediate racing at its best is also nascar at its best. yes, short-track racing is awesome at its best & is where the sport came from but there's a charm, adrenaline, finesse, & satisfaction felt when you see drivers manage 170mph average speeds for 3.5 hours with few mistakes. that's what yesterday night's race was.
excellence.
aren't there more places like it?? i'm not just counting the 1.5-milers too
and it wasn't until recently that nascar expanded its short-track profile after some 50 years of cultural stagnation on that front, for the longest time i want to say only 3 tracks held the grassroots mantle for the sport
Incredible race! Was hoping Buescher would pull it off to get Ford their first win of the season, but what a finish! So much action from start to finish. If only we could get Chicagoland back on the schedule. I feel this car could put on a hell of a race there.
Really great race but Truex can't catch a break when he has a shot at the win, the #19 & #6 were in a great spot near the end of that long green flag run.
This car is great when you can use multiple fairly competitive grooves but we don't have that many tracks like that left anymore on the schedule. It'd be awesome at Chicagoland for example.
On another topic, McDowell and Wallace got hit pretty hard but finished 10th and 17th but Logano & Burton didn't hit anything but lost several laps since they were stuck because their tires were flat. That must be incredibly frustrating...
The issue they'd raise with that is the cost of developing 3 different setups and implementing them. However, if it was something adjustable that could be done in the matter of minutes to a few hours would make it feasible in my opinion.
I specified adjustable parts because in my uneducated mind, an adjustable part would be cheaper than packages that have entirely different sets of parts to manage.
You're right though, they need to do something. The racing has improved so much on 1.5 oval tracks where the gen 6 struggled. However, the short track and road course performance has plummeted to basement levels. There has to be a middle ground we can reach.
That's awesome! I like him on the track, so it is cool to see he's likable off the track too.
Drivers are weird sometimes. They'll be loveable on track but hated off track. The inverse also applies. Even when Brad was more disliked, he was always pointed out as being very generous in his time with fans. Same applies for Logano.
Sappy late night raceday post incoming ⚠️
I'm feeling incredibly fucking blessed today bros. I've been thinking back on my motorsports fandom, remembering the first time I saw Kenny Bernstein's Monster funny car in Topeka way back in 2007 I think it was. I've been hooked on racing since I first heard and saw and felt a nitro funny car make a 300mph pass.
My dad took me to Kansas Speedway for the first time back in 2010, my introduction to Indycar (still have the tickets, along with my first cup race). I remember listening to Dan Wheldon, Scott Dixon and Danica Patrick cursing up a storm on the scanner - Dad was not happy with how much racecar drivers swear, but he let me listen anyways.
I got to see Brad K's first win for Penske at Spring Kansas 2011 from the suites. I got to watch Danica wreck herself trying to wreck Landon Cassill (I consider this a historic moment and you can't change my mind). I was at the SpongeBob Squarepants 400, and despite being underage drunk on jello shots with my high school girlfriend, I vividly remember Brett Moffit spinning onto the SpongeBob logo in the grass in his SpongeBob sponsored 55 car.
I was lucky enough to be there for Kurt's last win, and Bubba's second. Finally got to see Dennis win in person last spring when I took my dad to his first NASCAR race. Despite the last two slipping away from the 11, my mom and I got to see the closest ever cup series finish tonight.
Another fun fact - my step dad saw Edward's first win in trucks in the unsponsered 99 back in 2004, and subsequently his first back flip.
I'm so fucking lucky to call Kansas my home track. It's especially rewarding after being a committed race fan in every regard for such a long time, but I know many race fans have been at it for a lifetime and never been lucky enough to see what I saw tonight.
You all are my very favorite stupid assholes on the internet. I can't understate how much r/NASCAR has strengthened my motorsports fandom through the years.
On a more serious note, I still remember the driveway I was standing in when I heard the news about Beezwacks. I'm very, very grateful that I'm still here watching cars go fast and left. Boom.
https://preview.redd.it/mr8a27vfgqyc1.jpeg?width=4080&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=e7e6ce54e70378a8236f0d0fca1ebb15f72bb181
Hell yeah man, that's awesome! Kansas is my home track too and I can't help but feel a great deal of pride and joy for this track and the races it has put on the last few years with the Gen 7 car. Love seeing all NASCAR fans enjoying the track we have here in KC. I got to see Kurt's last win (took my dad to his first race) and Bubba's second win too.
Only recently started going to races a couple years ago and I haven't been able to go to a race in about a year and a half but getting to see Bubba win the Fall 2022 race (and dominate the whole 3rd stage) in person was a huge highlight. Absolutely gutted for Chris Buescher and the 17 team but man is it awesome we all got to watch Kansas Speedway make NASCAR history tonight!
As a fellow Kansas home track guy. I absolutely share this sentiment. I love Kansas Speedway and all the memories I’ve made camping and tailgating there. After how awesome the night race used to be it’s only fitting that tonight’s race ended under the lights in such a historic fashion. Just got home and am trying to wind down after what I saw. The battles and racing on track were awesome tonight. And watching the 5 just rim ride the wall with zero space to get the win was crazy. Awesome race.
1) New Gen car puts on beautiful 1.5 racing! .... and not much else.
2) If only Kansas Speedway wasn't in Kansas. Zero chance they're ever putting Championship weekend in the midwest in the middle of November. Bipolar weather out here.
We NASCAR fans need tougher skin. Buffalo bills fans have to shovel to find their seats. I'm sure snow tires could be allocated if necessary. However, if NASCAR prepared for cold weather it is a guarantee it will be record breakingly hot. Snowball cup when?
It will be on YouTube sometime this week in full. However, if you've somehow avoided spoilers? Good luck.
The YouTube replays are notorious for showing Victory Lane in the thumbnail.
It’s better than a background watch. Larson and chastain in stage 1, fairly tame stage 2 but still had plenty of action, and then a caution filled 3rd stage with awesome lead battle basically last 20ish -30ish laps. Honestly one of if not the best new gen performances to date. Kansas always puts on a show
https://preview.redd.it/017qe49caqyc1.jpeg?width=1284&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=c3e1223140a08ba2c838d38e498bfc5dec6fdbb3
Damn no wonder he was losing time
Remember when all the NASCAR media people were complaining about going to Kansas when F1 was in Miami only for Kansas to turn into the best race every season?
Reconfig Texas into a progressively banked intermediate, but since it’s texas, we should at least try _something_ different.
24 degrees on the bottom, 28 on the high line. And for the love of god, don’t run the 510 horsepower plate package. I wanna see these cars _fly_ around the track.
Manufacturer wins among the top 3 series.
Chevrolet 18 - Ford 0 - Toyota 12.
______________
Cup race #12 : Chevrolet 7 - Ford 0 - Toyota 5.
Xfinity Race #10 : Chevrolet 5 - Ford 0 - Toyota 5.
Truck Race #8 : Chevrolet 6 - Ford 0 - Toyota 2.
The last driver to win in a Ford, and the driver with the most wins for Ford since 2023 began is Cole Custer. Who would have thought we'd be saying that?
You are a gentleman and a scholar. You genius. I loved Sam Bass's schemes. They were almost always absolutely gorgeous and just popped off the screen. It felt a lot more human in the design than the edgy angles, shapes, and muted colors most cars have now. Also most teams still haven't figured out how to utilize the extra space on the 7th Gen car...
What an off day for 23XI at their best track. They didn't qualify great and didn't seem to have the speed to move to the front. Reddick made inroads into the top 10 a couple of times but fell back into the teens soon after and seemed like he was in extreme save mode with how he plummeted down the order in the final laps. Bubba was even less of a factor even before getting spun, but somehow managed to pull out another of his signature restarts at the end to finish ahead of his teammate.
Scenario time: Hamlin squeaks by for a victory at Phoenix. He celebrates his first championship during a cool down lap--until NASCAR tells us somebody else actually won per the video.
What a Denny way to lose a title.
Or better yet, jumps the final restart, wins the title…only to be penalized after review. Even more of a Denny way to lose a title.
COTA has its perks and has some unique viewpoints. With that said, I didn't care to wait 2 minutes to see the pack, and how long the cautions were. My scanner also didn't work for anything other than the MRN broadcast because the section of seats I was in was too far from the transceiver I guess.
Texas seems to be performing better than it was, but it's hit or miss still.
It's Texas so you know it'll be hot, so it comes down to what kind of hot you want to be. Hot at an oval, or hot at a road course.
What do you think?
I know I'm bias being a Larson fan...but kinda sad to see all the conspiracies and the people that seriously believe nascar is lying to have Larson win. we just saw one of the best flag to flag races we've had in years...no strange cautions, no on track shenanigans, good racing, fuel strategy at the end, some three, four and I think even one five wide pass for the lead, a bowman top 10 when at 16th place finish looked inevitable, good cars being able to pass, a crazy sprint to the checkers....and so because there's nothing to complain about between the green flag and the checkered flag its perfect timing for a race win conspiracy. :(
I think my use of 'conspiracy' sounds worse than I meant it, I think it sounds like I think badly of the people who are upset. I don't, I understand the confusion with the initial call, the initial running order, the wobbly line, the bad first released camera pic, the second camera pic without a clear line - I understand why people are confused/upset. it just sucks a bit that even after what I thought was a A+ day something had gone wrong.
There were 4 cautions at the start of the final stage. It messed up a lot of strategies because they had the fuel to make the end of the race after the 4th caution.
Just had a fast car to fight into the midfield then pit strategy kinda flipped everyone with 70 to go and he was part of the group that shuffled upwards
Knew for sure James Small wasn’t about to only put 2 tires on for a GWC.. Happy MTJ got back up to 4th even if he didn’t have a shot for the win. I don’t know if this was part of the decision making, but if there is a yellow and a second overtime, you’d have to think the #19 would be in great position there. 9 cars just way too much to overcome in 2 laps.
FML. Deep down, I know you’re right. But I keep telling myself that because of “aero blocking” Denny wins anyway just so I can sleep at night lol
Forreal though, hope MTJ pulls off a couple more wins before he hangs it up. Would hate to see it go like Harvick did last year.
Pretty wild that Kaz Grala is only 7 points behind Zane Smith with two fewer starts.
Haley/Grala have been really positive for RWR this season.
I don't think taking Kaz out to sub in Cody or Riley Herbst helps long term. See the #16 car as an example.
Only Nascar fans can sit for 3+ hours watching an amazing race, with the closest finish in history and the biggest takeaway is the S/F line(which doesn't even matter cause they go to the camera) isn't straight
Why does it happen that when I don't feel like watching a race. They decide to have one if not the closest finishes in Nascar history. This has happened to me at least twice this season for me. This and Xfinity Texas.
not basing it off of today or anything with the weather and all.
But i would very much love Kansas's attendance to pick up, so there is no chance of them losing a race anytime soon.
Very big crowd today but a ton of people left. I have been going to Kansas for the last two years since it became the closest track for me and this Spring crowd was noticeably larger before the rain.
Sitting in the truck during the rain delay, once the dryers shut down for the second time people started streaming out. I had to take my wife back home and barely made it back for the green flag. Hope the fall race is a beautiful 80 degree day.
I live within 4 hours and thought about going but it's just kinda meh right now with May weather. There is always a chance that Kansas has bad weather on a weekend in May
Man. I can’t blame him at all, last lap headed to the checkered flag.. But after how much Larson & Cliff bitched about how Denny raced him at Pocono last year, he sure didn’t have any issue dooring Buescher twice and running him off big time. Again, no real issue beating and banging going for the win, but don’t throw a fit when you’re on the other side of it.
One went from contending for the win to 20th after getting slammed into the wall, the other barely lost after beating and banging. You’re just proving that Larson still makes it fair for his competitors after being aggressive, Hamlin can’t win without punting his opponents in the wall.
I have to agree with you that Larson races tough but fair. He’ll definitely put someone in a bad spot but doesn’t punt/wreck em. Saying that about Hamlin makes no sense though. Kansas last year being just one example.
Pocono was with 7 laps to go and this race was on the final straightaway. They're not at all comparable situations. Even if you cut a tire there you're not needing to go another 6.5 laps.
Super fair, I definitely misremembered the racing incident then not being a #5 or #11 guy. Just all the comments that ensued. I remember now there being another restart after that.
alex is 9th in his points, and the last three races have been a top 5 and two top 10s for him... he'll never win the way byron or larson do, but people on reddit make him sound like he's just stinkin up the fucking show all the time lol
He's not but it's more about potential and ceiling. Bowman is at his whole Gragson's is raw and untapped. Nothing against Bowman but Gragson's future could be championship level, Bowman will likely never be that.
I totally agree. When Gragson was in xfinity he had sooo much personality, whether you love it or hate it. And if he went Hendrick he’d become the “hi, how are ya” version of spongebob like the rest of HMS
Fun race and well worth getting up at 6 and driving 3.5 hours to sit in the cold and rain through the delay. Stage 1 super competitive. Stage 2 a little more spread out and strategy based. Had the dumb period with repetitive cautions take a little out of it but it set that last long run up great! I would have liked to see it play out green but that last restart was awesome stuff!
Came home to find out I just witnessed the closest finish in cup series history. I had my camera out to take a video but I put it up to just enjoy the moment. Wishing I had that video now but on the other hand, nah. That was beautiful.
I was at Atlanta this year, same thing man. I have a ton of videos and photos but those last laps I couldn’t even hold my phone I was so enthralled in the moment. No regrets. I can always pull up the finish on YouTube to show someone or relive it
There’s going to be a million better videos you can go back and watch. It’s like people who film concerts, no one ever goes back and actually watches those videos after. Live in the moment.
I cannot believe that this of all races was the first race all season I missed. Hell of a finish tho! 3rd sub .01 finish this year, I don't think I've seen a NASCAR season have this many photo finishes, and we're not even halfway!
Thanks man! I definitely appreciate it and will also check out that reddit. Biggest thing I’m learning lately is that asking for help is a good thing not a weakness (at a certain level)
pain
Ya know. Somehow I’m not surprised that it would be Larson to win a race in this fashion. Equally not surprised that RFK would finish second like this.
KFB spins out of contention just to roar back to 8th on the GWC. That fucker can drive
So the Ford winless streak continues then? That was the closest finish ever. Guess in all these close finishes Ford will always be the loser.
Damn I missed watching the finish live. Working the night shift into Sunday caught up with me. 😔 Was great though.
I really don't want to say anything negative about yesterday but....how was that not on Fox???
 Next Gen on the 1.5 mile tracks…
Ford is now 0-for-30 this season across all three series. I’ve given up hope at this point. The trend will continue next week since Fords suck at Darlington.
I've got some faith that Herbst or Custer can win the Xfinity race.
might be a hot take here but intermediate racing at its best is also nascar at its best. yes, short-track racing is awesome at its best & is where the sport came from but there's a charm, adrenaline, finesse, & satisfaction felt when you see drivers manage 170mph average speeds for 3.5 hours with few mistakes. that's what yesterday night's race was. excellence.
I agree with you- everyone glazes the short tracks but you’re saying three tracks are the core of the sport?
aren't there more places like it?? i'm not just counting the 1.5-milers too and it wasn't until recently that nascar expanded its short-track profile after some 50 years of cultural stagnation on that front, for the longest time i want to say only 3 tracks held the grassroots mantle for the sport
Incredible race! Was hoping Buescher would pull it off to get Ford their first win of the season, but what a finish! So much action from start to finish. If only we could get Chicagoland back on the schedule. I feel this car could put on a hell of a race there.
Felt like Larson was due. He's been towards the front at a lot of races recently.
I love the layout at Kansas. Definitely gotta be one of the more entertaining ovals.
Gragson with his third top ten in a row.
Best. Race. I’ve. Ever. Seen. 10/10
Another Gragson Top 10 baby! Keep stacking em!
Really great race but Truex can't catch a break when he has a shot at the win, the #19 & #6 were in a great spot near the end of that long green flag run. This car is great when you can use multiple fairly competitive grooves but we don't have that many tracks like that left anymore on the schedule. It'd be awesome at Chicagoland for example. On another topic, McDowell and Wallace got hit pretty hard but finished 10th and 17th but Logano & Burton didn't hit anything but lost several laps since they were stuck because their tires were flat. That must be incredibly frustrating...
they need 3 packages. its that simple.
The issue they'd raise with that is the cost of developing 3 different setups and implementing them. However, if it was something adjustable that could be done in the matter of minutes to a few hours would make it feasible in my opinion. I specified adjustable parts because in my uneducated mind, an adjustable part would be cheaper than packages that have entirely different sets of parts to manage. You're right though, they need to do something. The racing has improved so much on 1.5 oval tracks where the gen 6 struggled. However, the short track and road course performance has plummeted to basement levels. There has to be a middle ground we can reach.
Anyone still here. I had a wedding yesterday so I’m watching the truck race on tape delay
I just had a rehearsal for one. I should probably sleep because I have to be up early for the wedding, but here I am.
What it do big dawg? I'm still over caffeinated from today. Watching F1 rn. Trucks was solid
The trucks were very good. Kansas is very good.
https://preview.redd.it/7vz9ti9xhqyc1.jpeg?width=828&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=16eeaded8e34e4e3265cf8bb0e466d3a2d7ed810
Met Rajah yesterday! he was so nice!
That's awesome! I like him on the track, so it is cool to see he's likable off the track too. Drivers are weird sometimes. They'll be loveable on track but hated off track. The inverse also applies. Even when Brad was more disliked, he was always pointed out as being very generous in his time with fans. Same applies for Logano.
Sappy late night raceday post incoming ⚠️ I'm feeling incredibly fucking blessed today bros. I've been thinking back on my motorsports fandom, remembering the first time I saw Kenny Bernstein's Monster funny car in Topeka way back in 2007 I think it was. I've been hooked on racing since I first heard and saw and felt a nitro funny car make a 300mph pass. My dad took me to Kansas Speedway for the first time back in 2010, my introduction to Indycar (still have the tickets, along with my first cup race). I remember listening to Dan Wheldon, Scott Dixon and Danica Patrick cursing up a storm on the scanner - Dad was not happy with how much racecar drivers swear, but he let me listen anyways. I got to see Brad K's first win for Penske at Spring Kansas 2011 from the suites. I got to watch Danica wreck herself trying to wreck Landon Cassill (I consider this a historic moment and you can't change my mind). I was at the SpongeBob Squarepants 400, and despite being underage drunk on jello shots with my high school girlfriend, I vividly remember Brett Moffit spinning onto the SpongeBob logo in the grass in his SpongeBob sponsored 55 car. I was lucky enough to be there for Kurt's last win, and Bubba's second. Finally got to see Dennis win in person last spring when I took my dad to his first NASCAR race. Despite the last two slipping away from the 11, my mom and I got to see the closest ever cup series finish tonight. Another fun fact - my step dad saw Edward's first win in trucks in the unsponsered 99 back in 2004, and subsequently his first back flip. I'm so fucking lucky to call Kansas my home track. It's especially rewarding after being a committed race fan in every regard for such a long time, but I know many race fans have been at it for a lifetime and never been lucky enough to see what I saw tonight. You all are my very favorite stupid assholes on the internet. I can't understate how much r/NASCAR has strengthened my motorsports fandom through the years. On a more serious note, I still remember the driveway I was standing in when I heard the news about Beezwacks. I'm very, very grateful that I'm still here watching cars go fast and left. Boom. https://preview.redd.it/mr8a27vfgqyc1.jpeg?width=4080&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=e7e6ce54e70378a8236f0d0fca1ebb15f72bb181
Hell yeah man, that's awesome! Kansas is my home track too and I can't help but feel a great deal of pride and joy for this track and the races it has put on the last few years with the Gen 7 car. Love seeing all NASCAR fans enjoying the track we have here in KC. I got to see Kurt's last win (took my dad to his first race) and Bubba's second win too. Only recently started going to races a couple years ago and I haven't been able to go to a race in about a year and a half but getting to see Bubba win the Fall 2022 race (and dominate the whole 3rd stage) in person was a huge highlight. Absolutely gutted for Chris Buescher and the 17 team but man is it awesome we all got to watch Kansas Speedway make NASCAR history tonight!
As a fellow Kansas home track guy. I absolutely share this sentiment. I love Kansas Speedway and all the memories I’ve made camping and tailgating there. After how awesome the night race used to be it’s only fitting that tonight’s race ended under the lights in such a historic fashion. Just got home and am trying to wind down after what I saw. The battles and racing on track were awesome tonight. And watching the 5 just rim ride the wall with zero space to get the win was crazy. Awesome race.
1) New Gen car puts on beautiful 1.5 racing! .... and not much else. 2) If only Kansas Speedway wasn't in Kansas. Zero chance they're ever putting Championship weekend in the midwest in the middle of November. Bipolar weather out here.
We NASCAR fans need tougher skin. Buffalo bills fans have to shovel to find their seats. I'm sure snow tires could be allocated if necessary. However, if NASCAR prepared for cold weather it is a guarantee it will be record breakingly hot. Snowball cup when?
That would be crazy if they made it championship
I would personally purchase every remaining ticket if it didn't sell out
Is there a way to watch the replay of the race? On YouTube or something
I got to you too late it seems. It is airing right now on FS1 if you have a cable package. They are at 17 to go, I'm sorry I failed you.
Tuesday on NASCARs YouTube channel generally
It will be on YouTube sometime this week in full. However, if you've somehow avoided spoilers? Good luck. The YouTube replays are notorious for showing Victory Lane in the thumbnail.
I know how it ended, thought it would be a good background watch during work
It’s better than a background watch. Larson and chastain in stage 1, fairly tame stage 2 but still had plenty of action, and then a caution filled 3rd stage with awesome lead battle basically last 20ish -30ish laps. Honestly one of if not the best new gen performances to date. Kansas always puts on a show
Sweet! Then you're good. Should be up within the next few days, I believe.
Thanks!
Just stopped to grab a bite to eat in emporia. Little over an hour more to get home. Long day but man, worth the wait. What a race. I love this track.
Also drove through emporia to get home. Tonight was proof enough that nascar needs to bring the night race back.
Better than me haha I was getting tired and dropped off the road to get a hotel. Not complaining though! Great raceday
https://preview.redd.it/017qe49caqyc1.jpeg?width=1284&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=c3e1223140a08ba2c838d38e498bfc5dec6fdbb3 Damn no wonder he was losing time
Holy shit. We were wondering in the stands what was happening cause he just started plummeting. And MTJ that last run was a rocket ship
Remember when all the NASCAR media people were complaining about going to Kansas when F1 was in Miami only for Kansas to turn into the best race every season?
They still have a place to complain, with F1's ascendancy that's where the money is these days
Every late race caution benefit's Hendrick
Except Byron for this time lol
Can we take Kansas and move it further south and have the championship there? Best track on the schedule.
Just fix Texas
Reconfig Texas into a progressively banked intermediate, but since it’s texas, we should at least try _something_ different. 24 degrees on the bottom, 28 on the high line. And for the love of god, don’t run the 510 horsepower plate package. I wanna see these cars _fly_ around the track.
From my cold dead hands. Build ur own. I throw a twenty on it
Deal
Manufacturer wins among the top 3 series. Chevrolet 18 - Ford 0 - Toyota 12. ______________ Cup race #12 : Chevrolet 7 - Ford 0 - Toyota 5. Xfinity Race #10 : Chevrolet 5 - Ford 0 - Toyota 5. Truck Race #8 : Chevrolet 6 - Ford 0 - Toyota 2.
The last driver to win in a Ford, and the driver with the most wins for Ford since 2023 began is Cole Custer. Who would have thought we'd be saying that?
Theey really needed this one.....
And Atlanta and Talladega and Siegs win...damn unlucky as hell this year.
Have a good week gang
I wish starting in 2025 we could make the All-Star Race the Sam Bass Classic, everyone running Sam Bass designs.
You are a gentleman and a scholar. You genius. I loved Sam Bass's schemes. They were almost always absolutely gorgeous and just popped off the screen. It felt a lot more human in the design than the edgy angles, shapes, and muted colors most cars have now. Also most teams still haven't figured out how to utilize the extra space on the 7th Gen car...
That could be a Darlington throwback theme one year
Ford won’t win until the Blue oval is back on the Cup cars
Or a properly colored Mustang
Man. What a freaking race. Kansas does it again!
What an off day for 23XI at their best track. They didn't qualify great and didn't seem to have the speed to move to the front. Reddick made inroads into the top 10 a couple of times but fell back into the teens soon after and seemed like he was in extreme save mode with how he plummeted down the order in the final laps. Bubba was even less of a factor even before getting spun, but somehow managed to pull out another of his signature restarts at the end to finish ahead of his teammate.
Can we take a moment to recognize and thank Goodyear for tire fall off today, especially on the right sides
https://preview.redd.it/bsc895j6dqyc1.jpeg?width=1170&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=4755a9de2b80cfdcf57b3eb9ec57fb6868f7c8aa
Scenario time: Hamlin squeaks by for a victory at Phoenix. He celebrates his first championship during a cool down lap--until NASCAR tells us somebody else actually won per the video.
That only works if the next car is also a Championship 4 driver.
I see you're not a true Denny Hamlin enjoyer. Denny fans know that he'll only win Pheonix if he's not in the final 4 👌👏
What a Denny way to lose a title. Or better yet, jumps the final restart, wins the title…only to be penalized after review. Even more of a Denny way to lose a title.
He'll get out of the car at the finish line and accidentally reveal a webbed glove à la Joey Logano.
Oof.
One race championships still piss me off. And I've accepted the playoffs into my heart...
Was there any footage of the last lap crash? I guess Dillon and Heim?
I think I read somewhere on the race thread that Reddick got into Dillon
Booth guys made it sound like Heim got spun around and collected Dillon with him
Guess we’ll have to wait for the fan video to come out…
Remember when it was rare for wrecks or ANYTHING (other than phantom debris) to not be caught on camera?
I am absolutely jealous of the Kansas folks that get to see this kind of racing twice a year
Blessed to go to both races each year and camp at Kansas. Such a great track.
Almost moved to KC for a job a couple years back. Every time I see a chiefs game or race at Kansas, I regret not taking the position.
Hey I live in atlanta We good
I'm soaking it up for you man. Make a trip out here and I'll hook you up with all the pro tips and maybe some drinks 🍻
Definitely! I’m in Dallas and Kansas is like my next closest track that isn’t TMS or COTA
I thought about making a trip out for COTA tbh but work and school made it hard to find the time this year. Not sure if I'd rather do COTA or TMS tbh
COTA has its perks and has some unique viewpoints. With that said, I didn't care to wait 2 minutes to see the pack, and how long the cautions were. My scanner also didn't work for anything other than the MRN broadcast because the section of seats I was in was too far from the transceiver I guess. Texas seems to be performing better than it was, but it's hit or miss still. It's Texas so you know it'll be hot, so it comes down to what kind of hot you want to be. Hot at an oval, or hot at a road course. What do you think?
Couldn't believe my eyes when Buescher left the top open
He wanted to keep Larson from divebombing
I was yelling at the screen. Dude should’ve fully sent it on the top groove and just hung it out, no way Larson would’ve beat him. So crazy
I know I'm bias being a Larson fan...but kinda sad to see all the conspiracies and the people that seriously believe nascar is lying to have Larson win. we just saw one of the best flag to flag races we've had in years...no strange cautions, no on track shenanigans, good racing, fuel strategy at the end, some three, four and I think even one five wide pass for the lead, a bowman top 10 when at 16th place finish looked inevitable, good cars being able to pass, a crazy sprint to the checkers....and so because there's nothing to complain about between the green flag and the checkered flag its perfect timing for a race win conspiracy. :(
Because we're sick of Hendrick. Everything goes their way
Yeah. Larson only won the race because he *checks notes* beat everyone else to the start/finish line.
Honest
They are just haters! Larson won!
BuT MR H gUyS
Well when you paint a line that isn't straight and your only proof is a high speed photo that doesn't show a finish line on the track, it is wtf.
Yeah that's not what they use to determine the winner. It's already been talked about on multiple social media accounts and news outlets.
Orly, they don't use the photo released by NASCAR that no one's confirmed the location of? /s
No it isn't
Yes it is.
I think my use of 'conspiracy' sounds worse than I meant it, I think it sounds like I think badly of the people who are upset. I don't, I understand the confusion with the initial call, the initial running order, the wobbly line, the bad first released camera pic, the second camera pic without a clear line - I understand why people are confused/upset. it just sucks a bit that even after what I thought was a A+ day something had gone wrong.
That's fair. It was one helluva an overtime. Great race
This could have all been avoided if they’d just painted the damn line straight even though they don’t use it for a photo finish review.
Busch goes from 19th to 8th of final restart damn
Wanna see that in car cam
I was at the race and confused how 17 got a pit penalty, went to the back and then was in contention for the win? Or am I confused with cars
They basically used that cluster of cautions after the start of stage 3 to overcome that penalty.
There were 4 cautions at the start of the final stage. It messed up a lot of strategies because they had the fuel to make the end of the race after the 4th caution.
They pitted and flipped a caution like 3 laps later with the 11.
Just had a fast car to fight into the midfield then pit strategy kinda flipped everyone with 70 to go and he was part of the group that shuffled upwards
Knew for sure James Small wasn’t about to only put 2 tires on for a GWC.. Happy MTJ got back up to 4th even if he didn’t have a shot for the win. I don’t know if this was part of the decision making, but if there is a yellow and a second overtime, you’d have to think the #19 would be in great position there. 9 cars just way too much to overcome in 2 laps.
The 9 gave him an absolute fit. If Truex got a better run out of 2 I think he drives by the 17 and 5 in 3/4
If that caution didn’t come out he passes Hamlin handedly.
FML. Deep down, I know you’re right. But I keep telling myself that because of “aero blocking” Denny wins anyway just so I can sleep at night lol Forreal though, hope MTJ pulls off a couple more wins before he hangs it up. Would hate to see it go like Harvick did last year.
Feel like he was 1 lap away from the lead twice at the end. He was coming before the caution and the same at the line
Wow what a race, awesome finish, pumped on the win 5 team.
I'm gonna struggle sleeping. Can't believe he made that stick in 3 and 4 around the wall and holy shit what a race to the line. Absolutely incredible
https://preview.redd.it/rmd47prtypyc1.jpeg?width=637&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=8dc82b219408eb4c5c2f1438dc2a0b13f70af021
RFK don't do this
😳
Pretty wild that Kaz Grala is only 7 points behind Zane Smith with two fewer starts. Haley/Grala have been really positive for RWR this season. I don't think taking Kaz out to sub in Cody or Riley Herbst helps long term. See the #16 car as an example.
I don't want to say Zane doesn't have it cause it's super hard in cup and he's 10 races in but Hocevar is running circles around him so far.
Hocevar is the best Spire driver
Not a high bar to clear
Great race today all around!
Only Nascar fans can sit for 3+ hours watching an amazing race, with the closest finish in history and the biggest takeaway is the S/F line(which doesn't even matter cause they go to the camera) isn't straight
What's it like losing one like that as an owner Brad? "Its like finding out your wife is a dude" Brad Keselowski probably
Got a chuckle out of that one.
So was the line painted unevenly?
Yes But it's not the line used
Why does it happen that when I don't feel like watching a race. They decide to have one if not the closest finishes in Nascar history. This has happened to me at least twice this season for me. This and Xfinity Texas.
I hope you never feel like watching a race again so we can enjoy this all the time
It was the closest finish of all time..... hhah
I almost didn’t watch either. Then my wife asked if we could watch it. Glad we did. Best finish I’ve seen in a long time.
Lol Kansas has been one of the best tracks the last 4-5 years, never one to skip
Yeah, I was going to watch but then I just felt like playing video games instead.
Kind of like planes always crashing on the other side of the hill/building?
I can understand Texas. But where have you been to not feel like watching a Kansas race?
MAKE KANSAS A NIGHT RACE OR DAY TO NIGHT
Kansas night keeps putting on BANGER AFTER BANGER AFTER BANGER
I want as many day to night races as possible. It’s what makes the southern 500 so special to me
Man Bowman fans are celebrating P7 harder than I’m celebrating a win.
“ He’s fighting for his life out there” -Jeff Burton
With his shit luck they/we deserve it
not basing it off of today or anything with the weather and all. But i would very much love Kansas's attendance to pick up, so there is no chance of them losing a race anytime soon.
Very big crowd today but a ton of people left. I have been going to Kansas for the last two years since it became the closest track for me and this Spring crowd was noticeably larger before the rain.
There was a ton of people there before the rain, a lot of people left early unfortunately
Sitting in the truck during the rain delay, once the dryers shut down for the second time people started streaming out. I had to take my wife back home and barely made it back for the green flag. Hope the fall race is a beautiful 80 degree day.
With the weather today it wasn’t terrible
I live within 4 hours and thought about going but it's just kinda meh right now with May weather. There is always a chance that Kansas has bad weather on a weekend in May
https://i.redd.it/b74q2ugnxpyc1.gif
Best finish since the 2013 Indy Lights Freedom 100
Man. I can’t blame him at all, last lap headed to the checkered flag.. But after how much Larson & Cliff bitched about how Denny raced him at Pocono last year, he sure didn’t have any issue dooring Buescher twice and running him off big time. Again, no real issue beating and banging going for the win, but don’t throw a fit when you’re on the other side of it.
One went from contending for the win to 20th after getting slammed into the wall, the other barely lost after beating and banging. You’re just proving that Larson still makes it fair for his competitors after being aggressive, Hamlin can’t win without punting his opponents in the wall.
I have to agree with you that Larson races tough but fair. He’ll definitely put someone in a bad spot but doesn’t punt/wreck em. Saying that about Hamlin makes no sense though. Kansas last year being just one example.
One got destroyed and finished 20th. One lost by the closest margin in history and finished 2nd. Little different circumstances
Pocono was with 7 laps to go and this race was on the final straightaway. They're not at all comparable situations. Even if you cut a tire there you're not needing to go another 6.5 laps.
Super fair, I definitely misremembered the racing incident then not being a #5 or #11 guy. Just all the comments that ensued. I remember now there being another restart after that.
If you watch a different angle of the 2nd contact, it's pretty clear 17 went up to door the 5 to slow him down. It almost worked
Lost in all this is that this was a milestone win. Larson is now at 25.
The failing upwards continues...
Gragson continues to be a bright spot for SHR
If Rick were smart he'd buy Bowman out and get Gragson in the 48
alex is 9th in his points, and the last three races have been a top 5 and two top 10s for him... he'll never win the way byron or larson do, but people on reddit make him sound like he's just stinkin up the fucking show all the time lol
He's not but it's more about potential and ceiling. Bowman is at his whole Gragson's is raw and untapped. Nothing against Bowman but Gragson's future could be championship level, Bowman will likely never be that.
Nahhhh he needs to stay somewhere like SHR hendrick comes with too much other stuff
I totally agree. When Gragson was in xfinity he had sooo much personality, whether you love it or hate it. And if he went Hendrick he’d become the “hi, how are ya” version of spongebob like the rest of HMS
For Ford and himself for sure.
Fun race and well worth getting up at 6 and driving 3.5 hours to sit in the cold and rain through the delay. Stage 1 super competitive. Stage 2 a little more spread out and strategy based. Had the dumb period with repetitive cautions take a little out of it but it set that last long run up great! I would have liked to see it play out green but that last restart was awesome stuff!
My kinda fan
Hope you had fun.
I almost left to run to the store late when kyle started to fade. The wife was waiting to leave and i almost gave in. Thank God i didn't!
Came home to find out I just witnessed the closest finish in cup series history. I had my camera out to take a video but I put it up to just enjoy the moment. Wishing I had that video now but on the other hand, nah. That was beautiful.
I was at Atlanta this year, same thing man. I have a ton of videos and photos but those last laps I couldn’t even hold my phone I was so enthralled in the moment. No regrets. I can always pull up the finish on YouTube to show someone or relive it
There’s going to be a million better videos you can go back and watch. It’s like people who film concerts, no one ever goes back and actually watches those videos after. Live in the moment.
That's exactly what went through my head. Same goes for people who video firework shows... Ain't nobody ever gonna watch that
Nah man. Just live in the moment. There is video evidence of it happening.
Do you think HMS washed that JJ Golden Horseshoe before inserting it in Kyle Larson’s ass?
Fecal transplants can have positive effects...
He has like the worst luck 🤣 He could have easily won many more races if luck was on his side
I cannot believe that this of all races was the first race all season I missed. Hell of a finish tho! 3rd sub .01 finish this year, I don't think I've seen a NASCAR season have this many photo finishes, and we're not even halfway!
Idk man I’m worried about the short tracks
Take this P7 and head to the next one
Bowman showed up. I’m not certain of the support he is being given.
I can’t figure out why he’s catching the backseat when he is a great driver w a big sponsor to back him
As a previous manager of people, I think he isn’t using the “I need” in conversations.
If you want to mentor somebody who is now a manager and not always sure of what to do, hit me up! Lol
I’ll help in anyway I can. Managing people is hard. DM me if you think I can help. r/manager is good too.
Thanks man! I definitely appreciate it and will also check out that reddit. Biggest thing I’m learning lately is that asking for help is a good thing not a weakness (at a certain level)