The Record (Troy, NY)

Larson takes over points lead

- By Jenna Fryer

mat, and additional slots go to the highest-ranking drivers in points.

Collecting points is how Newman nearly won the championsh­ip two seasons ago despite not winning a race, so not making it to victory lane is not a deal breaker.

Of course, the way he’s running, no one expects Larson to fall short of winning a race for much longer. He’s got one career victory, but many believe he’d have more if not for his own mistakes and his desire to not ruffle any feathers. Larson wants to run clean, so when he found himself bottled with Ricky Stenhouse Jr. on the restart Sunday, he didn’t force the issue.

Afterward, he admitted letting this win slip away “stings” but he wasn’t very hard on himself because it’s hard to be disappoint­ed when you’re the points leader.

Larson is part of the rapidly changing face of NASCAR , in which young drivers are pushing toward the front and passed the veterans. Behind him in the standings are Chase Elliott (third), Joey Logano (fifth) and Ryan Blaney (sixth). At 26, Logano is the oldest of the bunch.

EVERYTHING IS GREAT

in the NFL, when he only showed up to interviews so he wouldn’t get fined. But Busch is putting “Everything is great” to a good cause.

Busch said Monday that his charity and will sell Tshirts with “Everything is Great” across the front. The shirts are $22 — the same number as Logano’s car — and there’s no shipping or handling. Busch may have been in a lousy mood at Phoenix, but he’s at least trying to use it now to raise some money.

BIG FINISHES

 ?? RALPH FRESO — THE ASSOCIATED PRESS ?? Kyle Larson (42) drives out of Turn 4ahead of Kyle Busch during the NASCAR Cup Series auto race at Phoenix Internatio­nal Raceway, Sunday in Avondale, Ariz. Larson finished second in the race.
RALPH FRESO — THE ASSOCIATED PRESS Kyle Larson (42) drives out of Turn 4ahead of Kyle Busch during the NASCAR Cup Series auto race at Phoenix Internatio­nal Raceway, Sunday in Avondale, Ariz. Larson finished second in the race.

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