Scoring not only the first win of his career but one that virtually locks him into NASCAR’s playoffs, Kyle Larson won Sunday’s Sprint Cup Series race at Michigan International Speedway.
Kyle Larson wins the 2016 Pure Michigan 400 at Michigan International Speedway
Kyle Larson records first win in 99th career start.
Robert Laberge/Getty Images
The 24-year-old Larson passed leader Chase Elliott, 20, on a restart with eight laps to go and then drove away to capture the breakthrough win in his 99th career start. Elliott finished second, followed by Brad Keselowski in third, Ryan Blaney fourth and Kevin Harvick fifth.
Elliott, a rookie, had a comfortable lead over second-place Larson when a caution for Michael Annett’s tire failure prompted a caution with 12 laps left. On the ensuing restart, Larson got the better of Elliott, who spun his tires and momentarily fell back. Larson led a race-high 41 laps.
The win essentially locks Larson into the Chase for the Sprint Cup playoffs with two regular season races remaining. Without the victory on Sunday, he was unlikely to qualify.
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