Larson Wins Charlotte, But Tyler Reddick’s Amazing Drive Steals The Show
Tyler Reddick put in the work on Sunday.
The regular season NASCAR Cup Series Champion came into the Round of 12 knockout race at the Charlotte Roval in seventh place and 14 points above the cutline.
Things began well as he drove from his second-place starting position to a Stage 1 win, but then he ran into trouble in Stage 2.
Reddick locked up his tires entering the new Turn 7 hairpin and slammed into his team owner Denny Hamlin, who was also fighting for a spot in the next round.
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Reddick’s car went partially airborne and suffered damage that had to be repaired over the course of several stops, dropping him to the back of the field.
The team got things sorted in Stage 3 and he put in the drive of his life. ultimately finishing in 11th to grab the eighth transfer spot to the next round ahead of Joey Logano, who faded late in the race and finished eighth and below the cutline.
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Larson near the front all day and dominated Stage 3, ultimately leading 62 of the race’s 109 laps and finishing a second clear of Christopher Bell at the checkered flag. It was Larson’s sixth win of the season and second career Charlotte Roval victory. William Byron came home in third ahead of Austin Cindric, who was also eliminated from the playoffs.
Chase Briscoe’s post-season run ended earlier in the race with a DNF while Daniel Suarez’s 31st place finished wasn’t enough to get him through to the next round.
The playoffs standings heading into the next race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway are as follows:
- William Byron
- Kyle Larson -9
- Christopher Bell -16
- Ryan Blaney -44
- Chase Elliott -48
- Alex Bowman -53
- Denny Hamlin -55
- Tyler Reddick -56
All four Hendrick drivers are through as the only remaining Chevys. Joe Gibbs Racing’s Bell and Hamlin and 23XI Racing’s Reddick lead the Toyota contingent while defending champion Ryan Blaney will be flying the Ford flag alone.
UPDATE: Alex Bowman’s car failed a post-race inspection leading to his disqualification and elimination from the playoffs. Click here to find out who got in.
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