What happened?
On a late restart, Kyle Larson moved Hendrick Motorsports teammate Chase Elliott to take the lead and held off AJ Allmendinger to earn his second NASCAR Cup Series victory of 2022 at Watkins Glen International. Joey Logano, Elliott and Daniel Suarez rounded out the top-five finishers.
It was Larson’s second straight win in Sunday’s (Aug. 21) Go Bowling At The Glen.
How did it happen?
Elliott had the race all but wrapped up with less than 10 laps to go at the Glen on Sunday. The Hendrick driver had led 24 laps before lap 80 and was well ahead of second-place Larson. However, as many NASCAR races have taught us this year, it’s never over until it’s over.
The first late caution occurred after sports car veteran Joey Hand spun in turn 1 and ended in the tire barriers on lap 80.
A @JoeyHandRacing spin brings out a late-race yellow!
Can @chaseelliott hold on? What about @KyleLarsonRacin? Get to @USA_Network! pic.twitter.com/JQjqiYrB52
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) August 21, 2022
Despite the stoppage, Elliott remained unfazed as he kept the lead from the clutches of a field hungry for extra playoff points two races before the end of the regular season. ‘
Unfortunately for Elliott, it was a fleeting effort, as Loris Hezemans ended up in the gravel with only seven laps to go to bring out the final caution.
Loris Hezemans finds the gritty kitty and gets stuck.
Another restart coming inside 10 laps to go at @WGI! #NASCAR
GET TO @USA_NETWORK NOW! pic.twitter.com/nYcsqkZvF5
— NASCAR on NBC (@NASCARonNBC) August 21, 2022
The restart came with only five laps left of green flag racing. All the No. 9 seemingly had to do was clear the field out of turn 1. With HMS teammate Larson restarting alongside, there appeared to be just minimal risk of a turn 1 incident costing Elliott the victory.
Turns out Larson had other ideas.
Now, it’s @KyleLarsonRacin who gets through to the lead!
Less than five to go at @WGI! pic.twitter.com/znvgJA97Aj
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) August 21, 2022
With Larson cleared and pulling away from Allmendinger, Elliott could only watch and try to pull damage control. In the end, he climbed back into fourth place when it was all said and done but his chances for the win evaporated.
Instead, Larson went on to win his second consecutive victory at the New York-based road course.
Who stood out?
While there was no new surprise winner at the Glen, Michael McDowell truly looked like he was going to play that Cinderella role for…
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