Defending NASCAR Cup Series champion Kyle Larson (somehow) managed to record a sixth-place finish in Sunday’s Cook Out 400 at Richmond Raceway, an impressive result considering his night started in such a miserable fashion.
With inclement weather plaguing the Knoxville, Iowa-area all afternoon on Saturday, Larson was informed at approximately 9:30 PM ET, with 115 laps to go at Richmond, that his night was about to get longer, and that he would have a chance to compete in the 65th Knoxville Nationals.
So, when the checkered flag waved at about 10:15 PM ET, Larson bolted away from his No. 5 HendrickCars.com Chevrolet Camaro towards the infield to get changed, ready, and head to an airport to get himself en route to Pella, Iowa.
Less than 45 minutes after the NASCAR Cup Series event at Richmond was finished, Larson was wheels-up heading towards Iowa. The plane landed at about 1:00 AM ET, and by 1:15 AM ET, the two-time NASCAR Cup Series champion was on the premises of Knoxville Raceway.
Why make the effort? First of all, it’s Kyle Larson. Second of all, he’s won three feature events this week in the lead-up to the main event and is looking for a history-making fourth. Third of all, he’s on pole, and the polesitter has won the last three editions of the Knoxville Nationals.
…and boy, it’s a damn good thing he made that trip to Iowa, because at 2:45 AM ET, Larson took the checkered flag after leading wire-to-wire and became the sixth driver to win their fourth Knoxville Nationals.
65th Knoxville Nationals Results:
- Kyle Larson
- Sheldon Haudenschild
- Kasey Kahne
- James McFadden
- Logan Schuchart
- David Gravel
- Michael Kofoid
- Parker Price Miller
- Brent Marks
- Chase Dietz
- Tanner Holmes
- Justin Henderson
- Tyler Courtney
- Corey Day
- Garet Williamson
- Jace Park
- Rico Abreu
- Cole Macedo
- Tanner Thorson
- Sye Lynch
- Carson Macedo
- Daryn Pittman
- Brian Brown
- Austin McCarl
Photo: David Jensen, Getty Images
