By Matt Courson, Staff Writer
HAMPTON, Ga. — Two Playoff contenders found trouble early in the Quaker State 400 at Atlanta Motor Speedway.
On Lap 55, Larson’s No. 5 Chevrolet got loose and shot into the outside wall in Turn 2. Briscoe was in the wrong place at the wrong time and was unable to avoid Larson. He also sustained heavy damage and was unable to continue. Larson finished 37th and Briscoe placed last, 38th.
“Thankfully everything held up well inside the car,” Larson said. “That was a huge hit. I’m not really sure what caused it. I was actually sort of tight and loaded in the corner. And then I was pretty far around the corner and it just stepped out. I don’t know.. it all just happened really fast.”
I was never once loose, even in that corner. And then, it just started stepping out. I corrected it and overcorrected it, I guess.”
Briscoe said once he saw Larson spinning, it was too late to avoid.
“I was watching my outside getting into one because somebody kept trying to get to my outside and was probably a little late just trying to see the 5 car wrecking,” Briscoe said. “I didn’t expect anybody to wreck because they weren’t really two-wide, and then I saw the smoke and tried slowing down.
“I knew he was coming down the racetrack and just kept trying to feed the thing left and slow it down and I couldn’t get left quick enough and then he kind of started sliding back down the track at the very last minute, so I tried to turn back right to avoid him and just KO’d him. It was a big hit. One of the biggest hits I’ve had in a long time. I’m glad I’m alright and we just have to go win.”
Larson entered Atlanta leading the Playoff standings with a 12 point cushion meanwhile Briscoe was already below the cutline. Briscoe is likely in a must win scenario as the series heads to Watkins Glen International next weekend.