Kyle Larson wins drama-filled Brickyard 400

Kyle Larson earned his second chance to win at Indianapolis Motor Speedway this season by taking victory Sunday in the 30th anniversary of NASCAR’s first Brickyard 400.

Larson, who competed in the Indianapolis 500 earlier this season as part of an aborted attempt to win “the Double,” defied cautions on Sunday to claim a fourth NASCAR Cup victory of the 2024 season in an otherwise dramatic race.

The 2021 Cup champion was one of the few cars to stick to the safest fuel strategy and took the lead from the start until the first overtime after Brad Keselowski (RFK Ford) had to pit for fuel.

Behind the leaders, a multi-car accident occurred, causing a red flag to be flown for 17 minutes to repair a section of the retaining wall, and the race then went into a second overtime.

Larson quickly took the lead again, but then there was more drama when Ryan Preece hit the wall.

NASCAR held the caution flag because it looked like Preece, who had caused a big crash for William Byron in Stage 2, would continue. However, the Stewart Haas Ford came to a stop on the track, bringing out a caution on the final lap and securing Larson the win.

After a victory he called “surreal” in the first Cup Series race at the IMS oval since 2020 after racing on the Indy Road Course circuit for the past three years, Larson offered a tantalizing preview: He wants to return to race the Indy 500.

“I love you Indiana fans,” the Hendrick Chevrolet driver said. “I know you love me too. How about coming back next May and trying to kiss these rocks in an IndyCar?”

Race winner Kyle Larson, Hendrick Motorsports, HendrickCars.com Chevrolet Camaro

Photo by: David Rosenblum / NKP / Motorsport Images

Asked if his win on Sunday made up for what he did for his “double” effort, which ended with a pit road penalty for speeding during the Indy 500 and missing the Coke 600 that was canceled early due to bad weather, Larson replied: “It does, I guess a little bit.

“I wish we could have done both and run the 600m. We also had a phenomenal car for that race.

“I think everything just comes full circle. Everything is meant to be. Today is absolutely meant to be for us.”

Tyler Reddick finished second, reigning series champion Ryan Blaney was third, Christopher Bell finished fourth and winner of stage 2 Bubba Wallace completed the top five.

The top 10 was completed by Todd Gilliland, Austin Cindric, Daniel Suarez, Noah Gragson and Ricky Stenhouse Jr.

Larson had previously survived a collision with Martin Truex Jr., who had a flat tire and hit the wall, but in the closing stages he was in a position to drive hard to the finish without worrying about fuel, unlike leader Keselowski.

The caution flags forced the race to restart when Kyle Busch crashed in Turn 3 after making contact with Stage 1 winner Denny Hamlin with three laps to go. However, Keselowski ran out of fuel as the field was about to get the green light.

Larson raced to the lead and passed Blaney on the restart, but behind them a multi-car accident occurred in Turn 1 following contact between Daniel Hemric and John Hunter Nemecheck, prompting a 17-minute red flag and track clearing.