Kyle Larson Claims Convincing Kansas Victory

Kyle Larson repeated his win from one year ago at Kansas Speedway, but the circumstances were far less dramatic this time around.

One year ago, Larson took part in the closest finish in NASCAR Cup Series history at Kansas. The driver of the No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet crossed the finish line just 0.001 seconds ahead of Chris Buescher for the win in the 2024 edition of the AdventHealth 400.

There was no such tension on Sunday, as Larson led 221 of the race's 267 laps for a convincing victory, the 32nd of his NASCAR Cup Series career.

"I'm glad to not win by an inch here this time," said Larson with a smile. "A little bit safer gap."

Race Results: NASCAR Cup Series AdventHealth 400 at Kansas

Larson claimed every possible point up for grabs in Sunday's race. Along with the race win, he won every stage and also claimed the Xfinity Fastest Lap award to earn the bonus point that accompanies it.

The gap may have been safer, but it shrunk to 0.712 seconds in the closing laps. The race ended on a green-flag run of nearly 50 laps, testing tire management for the field.

Even Larson was feeling the pressure as the laps clicked off, losing grip on his tires and seeing Christopher Bell and others growing larger in his mirror.

"I was trying really hard to pace myself because I believe that was our longest run of the day," said Larson. "I've been struggling a little bit at the end of the runs. Chase [Elliott] was really good, so I felt like I just needed to try to be better on my end.

"I don't know if it was paying off or not at the end. I was still struggling. I don't know if the right-front was starting to wear a lot or what, but I was starting to lose a lot of grip and then I was vibrating really bad. I was afraid a right-rear or something would let go. Great car, great execution today, too."

Now, a busy stretch begins for Larson. He once again attempts the Indianapolis 500, while also taking part in NASCAR's All-Star Race and the Coca-Cola 600 on Memorial Day Weekend.

The Mother's Day Kansas win definitely adds some confidence entering the upcoming stretch, even if Sunday's success doesn't translate directly towards piloting an IndyCar around Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

"It's got to help a little bit, but it's so different at Indy," said Larson. "The cars are different. I look forward to getting there. We're going to fly there tonight, celebrate with Katelyn, Happy Mother's Day, Katelyn, all the moms out there, my mom especially. It's a cool win here in Kansas, and now we'll try to execute two good weeks at Indy."

Bell held off Ryan Blaney for second on the final lap, also fighting tire wear on his No. 20 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota on the long run to end the race. While Larson's late-race fade might have been an opportunity for Bell, the Oklahoma driver knew he was fighting a simliar battle.

"I was surprised that [Larson] gave up on the top those last couple of laps and pulled down," said Bell. "I was struggling just as bad as he was, so I was just trying to get to the end. I know Ryan was coming on really, really strong there. Overall, to get home second with a lot of stage points was something that we needed after the last couple of weeks."

Blaney finished third, followed by Chase Briscoe and Alex Bowman. Josh Berry finished sixth, followed by Ryan Preece, Chris Buescher, Joey Logano and John Hunter Nemechek.

The NASCAR All-Star Race is next Sunday, May 18 at North Wilkesboro Speedway. Coverage of the All-Star Race will be provided by FS1, the Motor Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.

-Photo credit: Chris Graythen/Getty Images