Larson wins NASCAR regular-season finale
Kyle Larson and his Chip Ganassi Racing team snatched NASCAR’s final victory Saturday night at Richmond, Va., before the start of the playoffs
Martin Truex Jr. had the race easily in hand until Derrike Cope slowed with under four laps remaining. Larson was second at the time, itching for fresh tires and a shot at the win in overtime.
He took his Chevrolet to pit road, his Ganassi team got him out as the leader, and he held for his fourth victory of the season. That ties Truex for most in the Cup series this season.
“I’m really pumped for the playoffs, we’ve got a really good shot at the championship,” Larson said.
Truex, the regularseason champion, wrecked in overtime while racing for position. The entire sequence cost him what seemed to easily be his fifth win of the season.
Dale Earnhardt Jr., meanwhile, officially was eliminated from the playoffs. He’s retiring at the end of the season.
Truex still starts the 10-race playoff stretch as the favorite to win the championship because he earned the most bonus points in the regular season.
But Larson is hot, too, and the Richmond win was his first at a short track in the Cup Series.
Chaos erupted with 140 laps left because one of NASCAR’s rescue vehicles clogged the entrance to pit road as cars headed to their stalls.
As the traffic bottlenecked, Matt Kenseth ran into the car in front of him, and his night was ended with a crumpled hood.
“I saw an ambulance sitting there,” Kenseth said. “It was an accordion effect and I just couldn’t get stopped.”
He had to watch from the infield because his playoff fates were taken out of his hands. Clint Bowyer, a driver who had to win to get in to the playoffs, might as well has had his night ruined, too. He suffered enough damage in the accident that his car was essentially eliminated from winning contention. a 3-0 loss to Louisville FC. The defeat keeps the Riverhounds in 10th place, two spots out of playoff contention in United Soccer League.
• Diego Valeri scored in his seventh game in a row to tie the MLS record and help the visiting Portland Timbers beat New York City FC, 1-0. … Jozy Altidore scored twice in the second half goal and MLS-leading Toronto FC routed the visiting San Jose Earthquakes, 4-0.