Kyle Larson gave a perfect end to the NASCAR season this year with winning his first national title in the championship race at Phoenix Raceway on Sunday.
Larson was suspended for all of last year’s season because of using a racial slur and did not expect to get an opportunity again. He watch the championship race from the competition compound on the Hendrick Motorsports campus in North Carolina last year but now, Hendrick gave him another chance and he paid it well.
After his cooldown laps, he reflected on his jouney from out-of-work NASCAR driver to Cup champion and seen full of tears. He said, “Eighteen months ago, I didn’t even think I’d be in a Cup car again. Strapping in for the Daytona 500 didn’t even seem real, let alone winning the championship. It’s definitely been a journey, a rollercoaster. I’m very thankful for my second chance and every opportunity I’ve been given in these last 18 months. Life’s a crazy thing. Just stay positive through it.”
Larson was running fourth in the race, last among the title contenders but then a caution reset the situation because he won the pole Saturday in qualifying which made him get the first stall on pit road and the shortest spin back onto the track of the four title contenders. He wanted his Hendrick Motorsports crew to bring No.5 Chevrolet back on track and they did. He said, “I knew the only way we were going to pull it off is if our pit crew got us off as a leader, and damn, they did. That was just crazy, Those guys nailed the pit stop.”He added, “I’m just blessed to be a part of this group. Every single man or person, man and woman at Hendrick Motorsports, this win is for all of us, and every one of you. This is unbelievable. I’m speechless.”
The 2017 champion of the season, Truex stood second and Hamlin, his Joe Gibbs Racing Teammate stood third.
Larson has given Hendrick its 14th Cup title and did not let his second chance go into vain. He has made everyone proud with his comeback and was seen celebrating it with his child.
