Larson prevails in Xfinity race

Kyle Larson held off Joey Logano on the final lap to win the NASCAR Xfinity race at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, Calif.

Larson thrived out of a late restart with smart moves and a clever lane choice on Fontana’s fivewide asphalt. The native Californian won the Xfinity race at Fontana for the second time in his Chip Ganassi Racing Chevrolet.

Larson, the Monster Energy Cup series points leader, is on the pole for Sunday’s race with a chance for a weekend sweep.

Kyle Busch was third, with Erik Jones fourth and rookie William Byron fifth. In other news: • Lewis Hamilton took the pole position with the fastest lap at Albert Park in Melbourne and will start the seasonopening Australian Grand Prix at the front of the grid. The times kept improving during the three practice sessions, and the Mercedes driver’s last flying lap in qualifying was 1 minute, 22.188 seconds. Sebastien Vettel overhauled Mercedes driver Valtteri Bottas for second spot.