SPEEDWAY, Ind. – The return of NASCAR’s crown jewel brought much anticipation, and the excitement in the closing laps was nothing short of the historical significance of the Brickyard 400.
With less than 20 laps remaining, three drivers on three different strategies began the final battle for the right to kiss the bricks after the checkered flag.
Brad Keselowski who gambled to stretch his fuel was leading ahead of Ryan Blaney who had slightly more fuel from a later pit stop. Kyle Larson climbed from outside the top 10 with fresh tires fought his way into the third position.
As the leaders exited Turn 4 to start the final two laps of the race, Kyle Busch clipped Denny Hamlin and crashed into the outside wall. The caution set up the first of two overtime restarts.
Keselowski selected the inside lane at the choose cone with Blaney to his outside. Larson elected to start in the second row on the inside lane.
But as the field crawled toward the restart zone, Keselowski ran out of fuel and dove onto pit road at the last second.
By rule, Larson and the entire inside lane of the field moved up one position.
That gave Larson the inside lane and advantage on the restart.
Once Larson cleared Blaney, the No. 12 Ford Mustang was not able to build a strong enough run to pass Larson’s No. 5 Chevrolet Camaro. After a multi-car wreck going into Turn 1 brought out a 17 minute 8 second red flag, it was rinse and repeat for Larson for the second overtime restart.
Ryan Preece spun and stalled on the backstretch to bring out the final caution that would eventually be the conclusion of the race.
“Well, leading into it (the first overtime restart), we had a lot of communication on our radio about Brad was going to be really close on fuel, he may run out of fuel under these cautions,” Larson shared after the race from his perspective on the final two restarts. “I was going to choose behind him no matter what lane he took just in hopes that he would run out before we got to the restart zone. I was trying to pay attention to him when he was cycling his engine, trying to clean and warm his tires up just to see if there was any bit of stumble. Yeah, he just ducked off onto pit road. I was like, ‘Wow, I can’t believe this is going exactly how we had kind of hoped and had thought about.’
“I came to the restart zone, and I’m sure Ryan and I were both probably confused on who is now the control car. I could tell maybe he didn’t know. I felt [we both] took off at the same time. The pace was up a little bit faster. It was just a bit confusing. I was able to get the position into (Turn) 1, saw a big crash in my mirror, was a little bit bummed because I knew it would be really hard to pass me after clearing the lead.
“I had to sit through a lengthy red flag and kind of replay some things in my mind about how this next restart might work out. Thankfully it just worked out where I could get barely clear. He did a better job the second time to hang with me. I thought he might almost have leverage enough to stay side by side exit one. If he would have stayed with me exit one, who knows who wins. We were probably three wide down the backstretch with the 45 (Tyler Reddick) coming.”
In a way, it was redemption for Larson and Hendrick Motorsports. Back in May, Larson attempted the American ‘Double-Duty’ by competing in both the Indianapolis 500 and the Coca-Cola 600, a crown jewel in both the NTT IndyCar Series and the NASCAR Cup Series held every Memorial Day weekend.
Weather delays caused the 500 here in Indiana delayed the race long enough to prevent Larson from starting the 600 down in North Carolina. After hopping into a private jet and taking a helicopter to Charlotte Motor Speedway, Larson was hoping to be able to climb into his car to finish the rest of the 600, which was under a rain delay. Justin Allgaier at the time had substituted for Larson until his arrival and ran in the 13th position at the time.
The race never resumed and Larson never turned a lap in the 600-mile race.
“I think just with getting to compete in the Indy 500, then having the weather get in the mix and not being able to compete in the 600, then getting to come here and run the same paint scheme I was supposed to run at the 600, ultimately win in the fashion that we did with a lot of things kind of going our way there at the end… It was pretty emotional winning. I think it definitely feels like it completes the circle of the double this year.”
The fan support at Indianapolis Motor Speedway was more than just the attempt at the double. Larson reflected on more of his racing history and acknowledged the support from years before.
“Honestly, I feel like even before May. Every time I come here. I lived here for a couple years and raced locally throughout Indiana and the Midwest. Indiana fans love their dirt track racing. I’ve always felt the support here.”
The paint scheme for Larson was a special one dedicated to his 500-600 attempt, the same paint scheme he was supposed to race at Charlotte back in May. The design embodied a combination of his NASCAR and IndyCar colors, a design in the plans and works since last year. Sunday’s win at the 30th running of the Brickyard 400 was a monumental crown jewel for NASCAR and for Larson. It was more than redemption. It was more than a resurrection. It was a resolution that came full circle.
“Now we’ll get to have some race win die cast (with this paint scheme), which is pretty special.”