Kyle Larson discusses his first-ever win at the Brickyard 400
Kyle Larson departed Indianapolis in May during one of the most painful days of his racing career. However, upon his return on Sunday, he concluded one of his most unforgettable races with a celebration revered in sports — kissing the bricks at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
The 31-year-old Californian faced adversity early on with an unscheduled pit stop, dropping to 12th place. Yet, he charged back, seizing the lead in the last 32 laps. Larson prevailed in battles for the lead during the final two restarts, narrowly avoiding a potential third overtime to secure his first Brickyard 400 victory under caution.
“After the race strategy fell into place, everything just seemed to align perfectly for us today,” Larson remarked, celebrating atop his car and climbing the fence to acknowledge the ecstatic fans. “It feels surreal to win here.”
The triumph marked a stark contrast to his Memorial Day weekend struggles, where rain thwarted his chances at completing both the Indianapolis and Charlotte races. Larson’s redemption on Sunday was highlighted by strategic brilliance and a stroke of luck.
During the race, Larson benefited when Brad Keselowski ran out of fuel, enabling Larson to advance into the inside lane alongside Ryan Blaney. Larson capitalized on this positioning to leapfrog Blaney just before a major crash triggered a red flag and necessitated a second overtime.
Larson’s victory, his fourth of the season, solidified his lead in the Cup standings, positioning him ahead of teammate Chase Elliott with four races remaining before the playoffs. His win also distinguished him as a three-time victor in NASCAR’s four prestigious crown jewel races, with only the Daytona 500 eluding him.
The thrilling outcome was no accident. Keselowski’s gamble on fuel conservation almost paid off, while Blaney battled fiercely to maintain his lead against Larson’s relentless pursuit.
Despite the drama, Larson’s resilience and performance left an indelible mark on the race, impressing even team owner Rick Hendrick, who admitted to nervous moments as Larson charged through the field.
Looking ahead, Larson expressed a desire to reconcile his May misfortunes by attempting the challenging feat of the full 1,100 miles between Indianapolis and Charlotte in future seasons.
In other race highlights, Denny Hamlin and Bubba Wallace claimed stage wins, with Wallace’s fifth-place finish boosting his playoff aspirations. The broadcast of the Brickyard 400 on NBC faced a brief switch to USA Network due to breaking news about President Joe Biden, culminating in a race finish back on NBC after a red flag stoppage.
Before the race, speedway owner Roger Penske and PPG announced an extension and expansion of their partnership, underscoring PPG’s continued role as the presenting sponsor and finishing supplier at Indianapolis Motor Speedway for both NASCAR and IndyCar events, as well as its support for Team Penske drivers across both series.
