The 2021 NASCAR Monster Energy Cup Series Champion, Kyle Larson, finds his way to Victory Lane at Richmond following an excellent battle between the Chevrolets and Toyotas. Larson was one of two Hendrick cars that led most of the day, but he wound up in the lead at the right time to record his first victory of the season. Larson is now likely locked into the playoffs during the final ten races of the season.

DOMINANT DAY FOR HENDRICK

While Kyle Larson was near the front of the pack all day, it was his teammate, William Byron, who had the best car. Byron led 117 of the 400 laps on the day, just 24 more than Larson who led 93. Byron had the lead in the final 30 laps and had the fastest car, but he spun off the nose of Christopher Bell on a late race restart and finished 24th. Teammate Josh Berry, who is filling in for the injured Chase Elliott, recorded his best career Cup finish as he finished second to Larson. The fourth Hendrick driver, and current points leader, Alex Bowman had another solid day in eighth.

BEST 2023 RACE FOR TOYOTA

While the good day from the Chevrolets was expected, the Toyotas had a better day than anyone could’ve predicted, specifically the Joe Gibbs Toyotas. Denny Hamlin, Christopher Bell and Martin Truex Jr. combined to lead 153 laps on the day. Bubba Wallace also led a lap for Toyota giving them 154 circuits in front. Going into the race, Toyota had only led 136 laps in the first six races combined. In the end, only Bell and rookie Ty Gibbs would finish in the top ten for the Japanese automaker.

TOP 10 FINISHERS AT RICHMOND

1. Kyle Larson
2. Josh Berry
3. Ross Chastain
4. Christopher Bell
5. Kevin Harvick
6. Michael McDowell
7. Joey Logano
8. Alex Bowman
9. Ty Gibbs
10. Brad Keselowski

TOP 10 POINTS AFTER RICHMOND

1. Alex Bowman
2. Ross Chastain
3. Christopher Bell
4. William Byron
5. Kevin Harvick
6. Kyle Larson
7. Joey Logano
8. Kyle Busch
9. Martin Truex Jr.
10. Brad Keselowski

XFINITY SERIES AT RICHMOND

The other two NASCAR series experienced first time winners this weekend. Chandler Smith had a great day at Richmond Saturday. He led 83 laps and won one of the earlier stages before rallying to record his first career victory in the Xfinity Series. Points leader Austin Hill, who was won three of the first six races this season, finished in ninth place keeping him on top of the points standings.

TOP 10 FINISHERS AT RICHMOND

1. Chandler Smith
2. John Hunter Nemecheck
3. Josh Berry
4. Kaz Grala
5. Cole Custer
6. Sheldon Creed
7. Ryan Sieg
8. Parker Kligerman
9. Austin Hill
10. Derek Kraus

TOP 10 POINTS AFTER RICHMOND

1. Austin Hill
2. Riley Herbst
3. John Hunter Nemechek
4. Chandler Smith
5. Josh Berry
6. Justin Allgaier
7. Sheldon Creed
8. Sam Mayer
9. Sammy Smith
10. Cole Custer

CRAFTSMAN TRUCK SERIES AT TEXAS

While Cup and Xfinity were in Virginia, the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series stayed in the Lone Star State of Texas. Carson Hocevar snagged his first career win in overtime at the Texas Motor Speedway. Hocevar was in third place when Nick Sanchez and Zane Smith tangled in overtime, then Hocevar and Sanchez got together sending Sanchez spinning while Hocevar coasted to victory. Sanchez had been dominant leading 168 of the 172 laps, but a late race caution and overtime cost him a win for the second time this season. The rookie has run well and will likely break through to victory lane at some point this season.

TOP 10 FINISHERS AT TEXAS

1. Carson Hocevar
2. Chase Purdy
3. Stewart Friesen
4. Ty Majeski
5. Jake Garcia
6. Hailee Deegan
7. Corey Heim
8. Ryan Vargas
9. Jack Wood
10. Ben Rhodes

TOP 10 POINTS AFTER TEXAS

1. Ty Majeski
2. Zane Smith
3. Ben Rhodes
4. Christian Eckes
5. Matt Crafton
6. Grant Enfinger
7. Chase Purdy
8. Corey Heim
9. Nick Sanchez
10. Tyler Ankrum

NEXT UP

The Cup and truck series will be racing at the same track next week as they both head to the short track at Bristol, Tennessee. The Xfinity Series takes next week off but will return in two weeks at the short track at Martinsville.

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