Search
Close this search box.

Partner

Video: Kyle Larson Tries Video Game-Style Move on Last Lap to Try to Beat Hamlin

Kyle Larson did not win Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series Cook Out Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway, but you cannot accuse the 29-year old driver of not giving it all he had to try to beat Denny Hamlin.

Hamlin had driven a smooth and flawless 15 laps, and held Larson — who led a race-high 156 laps — at bay. But on the final lap of the race, Larson said, you know what? I gotta try something.

So, Larson pulled a play out of the video game playbook and opted to go into turns 3 and 4 without lifting. His No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet pounded the outside wall, but he nearly got up alongside Hamlin, and had he pulled off the win, we’d be talking about it for ages.

“I honestly got to his bumper too quick,” Larson admitted. “I was hoping he was going to run that diamond to kind of be safe and I could swerve to his outside. But gave it everything I had. I didn’t want to wreck him, but I wanted to get to his outside.”

Hamlin, who won the race, was even surprised by how deep Larson went into the corner, and had a little concern about the outcome of the race in the race’s final turn.

“Yeah, he drove it in past the limit of the car and tire,” Hamlin explained of Larson’s last lap move. “But I knew he was coming. I was a little bit conservative that last lap, because I knew I had about a four car-length lead. I didn’t think he was going to go that deep, but it was still a great race.”

While it wasn’t a win, Larson may have actually won the mental war against his championship rival Hamlin. Because now, Hamlin knows when the chips are on the table, Larson will do whatever he thinks will give him a shot to win the race. Even if that means sending his car into the wall on the final lap of the race.

share it
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Reddit

One Response

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Latest Post

blaneywedding
Ryan Blaney Officially Marries Long-Time Girlfriend Gianna Tulio
SVG
Video: SVG Goes for Tumble in Sprint Car Wreck at Baypark Speedway
TG_CUP_PHX_RACE_JJYeleyA
NY Racing Attempting to Qualify for 2025 Daytona 500; JJ Yeley to Drive
TG_CUP_MV_RACE_NGragson_Pits-2
2024 Snowball Derby Entry List Includes Flurry of NASCAR/ARCA Drivers
WB
NASCAR Adjusts Practice and Qualifying Procedure Ahead of 2025
NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series
Truck Series Driver Frankie Muniz Starring in 'Malcolm in the Middle' Revival at Disney+

Join Our Newsletter

Ready to have NASCAR news hand-delivered to your email daily?

Related Article