Early-Race Incident Relegates Larson to 32nd-Place Finish at Texas

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In: Xfinity Series News

Competing in the “Wild Asphalt Circus” at Texas Motor Speedway for the first time in his young career, Kyle Larson and his No. 32 Cessna team began the weekend with hopes to capitalize on recent  momentum. Rolling off from the 12th-starting spot, Larson maintained his track position through the first 40 laps of the NASCAR Nationwide Series (NNS) O’Reilly 300 before misfortune ended his hopes of a podium finish. An incident on lap 44 ultimately led to a blown left front tire, causing extensive damage and relegating Larson to a 32nd-place finish.

Utilizing the information they gained from a test session at Texas a week prior, the No. 32 Cessna team polished their race setup during the NNS practice sessions on Thursday and Friday. Following up his practice performance, Larson began the 200-lap race and quietly maintained his position just outside the top-10. Under the first caution on lap 25, crew chief Trent Owens brought his driver down pit road for four tires and adjustments to loosen up his Camaro. Just a few laps after taking the restart, Larson radioed to Owens and his crew that he was now too loose.

While trying to find a line that would help get him to the next pit stop, Larson went to the high line off of turn four, got loose and looped around on the frontstretch, but steered clear of any damage. Owens brought his young driver to pit road for right side tires, hoping to stay on the lead lap. However, when the Cessna Camaro returned to the track, the left front tire blew on the backstretch. The blown tire caused significant damage and Larson was forced to think quickly, wrestling the impaired Camaro between a safety vehicle and the inside wall.

The No. 32 Turner Scott Motorsports pit crew responded quickly, performing several pit stops over the next 10 laps to repair as much of the damage as they could on the Cessna Camaro. Making replacement pieces for the left front fender and mending the remainder of the damage, the crew was able to send Larson back into competition to finish the evening, despite being several laps behind the leader.

“I know we’re going to have days like this, but I’m disappointed that it had to happen with the car we had today,” Larson said. “I was really looking forward to Texas with the Cessna Camaro, especially after testing here. We had a great car in race trim during practice, we just got too loose on the second run and I couldn’t hang onto it. Trent Owens and my Turner Scott Motorsports crew did a great job keeping us in the race by fixing all the damage, but I hate that I couldn’t get a better finish to show for all of their work this weekend.”

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