Larson Locks Up Top-Five Finish in First NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Start at Martinsville

Kyle Larson, driver of the No. 24 McDonald’s Chevrolet Silverado, led 79 laps in Saturday’s Alpha Energy Solutions 250 at Martinsville (Va.) Speedway. The 23-year-old finished in the fourth position in his first NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (NCWTS) start at the 0.526-mile short track.

Larson started the 250-lap race from the fifth position. When the first caution occurred on lap 43, he reported to crew chief Joey Cohen that the No. 24 was beginning to tighten up on entry into the corners. Cohen brought the McDonald’s Chevrolet to pit road for tires, fuel and a track bar adjustment. Larson took the race lead for the first time on lap 62 and led for 32 laps before the second caution of the race on lap 93. Still battling a slightly loose condition, Larson came to pit road on lap 94 for tires, fuel and an air pressure adjustment. He restarted from the third position on lap 101 and retook the lead on lap 105. With 145 laps of racing left, Cohen urged his driver to take care of his brakes, suspecting there would be several more cautions before the checkered flag. After six additional cautions and two red flag periods, Larson lined up fifth for a three-lap shoot-out in overtime. The McDonald’s Chevrolet crossed the start-finish line in the fourth position.

 

KYLE LARSON QUOTE:

“Today was a solid day for the No. 24 McDonald’s Chevrolet. I was able to log laps at a track that hasn’t been considered my best and come out of here with a top-five finish. GMS Racing did a great job preparing the truck and I wish I could have gotten a win for them, but I’m thankful for the opportunity we had here today.”

GMS Racing PR