The closest finish in NASCAR Cup Series history happened on Sunday in the AdventHealth 400 at Kansas Speedway! Can you believe that?
Yet again, the Gen 7 (Next Gen) car produced phenomenal racing in the heartland, something that has become expected since the 2022 season. Throughout all 402 miles of the race (the race distance was extended by one lap due to an overtime finish), there were intense battles and insane four-to-five-wide moves for position. As the laps were ticking away, leaders Kyle Larson, Chris Buescher, and Denny Hamlin were running out of fuel, and things were shaping up for a fuel strategy fight to the finish.
However, a caution for a spin by Kyle Busch in the No. 8 Chevrolet ended the fuel mileage strategy, and gave these drivers a green-white-checkered finish to settle it all.
With Hamlin and Buescher on the front row and Larson behind in third, Larson dove his No. 5 HendrickCars.com Camaro to the bottom of the race track, and took the battle to Buescher. After aggressive blocking and door slamming to the line, Larson won by a margin of .001 seconds, the closest finish in NASCAR Cup Series history.
Though Buescher came in second, the Prosper, TX. native did show the consistent speed the Dark Horse Mustang’s can have. Even more promising, Noah Gragson was yet another Ford driver that was able to maintain top-10 pace all day long. With his consistent performance, he is quickly proving to be Stewart-Haas Racing’s future.
Join Taylor Kitchen to discuss it all in a new episode of Above The Yellow Line!
