The victory is the 20th of Larson’s career, and his first of the 2023 season.
He becomes the sixth different winner in the first seven races, earning HMS its third win of the year. Berry, subbing for an injured Chase Elliott, took advantage of a late-race caution to finish second.
“It’s really cool,” said Larson. “We’ve been close to winning a couple. William (Byron) has been extremely good this year. It was going to be between probably him, the 19 (Truex), us, and the 20 (Bell) was really good. So just things worked out. My pit crew had a great stop. So shout out to Brandon Johnson. He is our jackman. He just turned 30 today. Our spotter, Tyler Monn, he turned 30 today. Great day for them guys.
“What an awesome Hendrickcars.com Chevy. Can’t say enough about it. I got into the 99 (Suarez) on pit road there sometime in the second stage, and we were awful after that. I was hoping the damage was the reason why, but they had to calm me down a little bit and get refocused and was able to get it done.
“Thanks to everyone on this team, Cliff Daniels, for everything he does to prepare the team to be as strong as we are without him on the box. So good to get a win, and hopefully many more.”
Ross Chastain was third, Christopher Bell fourth, and Kevin Harvick fifth. Michael McDowell, Joey Logano, Alex Bowman, Ty Gibbs, and Brad Keselowski rounded out the top-ten.
Stage 1
Bowman led the field of 37 to the green flag with Kyle Busch alongside. Bowman held the lead early with teammate William Byron moving up to second.
Busch slid up into Chastain exiting Turn 4 as they battled for third, with Busch losing several spots after that. He complained of a loose condition.
Byron took the lead from teammate Bowman with an outside pass on Lap 11. Chastain then split the HMS cars, dropping pole-sitter Bowman down to third.
Stenhouse was making bold moves on the high side, charging forward into the top-five early.
The first yellow flag waved at Lap 30 for a pre-planned competition caution.
Chastain won the race off pit road, just ahead of the Hendrick drivers of Byron and Bowman.
Ricky Stenhouse Jr. had an extended pit stop to deal with a brake issue, and eventually went behind the wall. Denny Hamlin, who was ninth, was caught speeding and sent to the rear.
The first natural caution of the race was for J.J. Yeley, got got spun by Hamlin and hit the outside wall.
Chastain spun the tires on the restart, allowing both Larson and Byron to surge ahead.
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