NASCAR Michigan 2016 results: Full finishing order for Pure Michigan 400

With tears in his eyes as he sped underneath the checkered flag, Kyle Larson scored his long-awaited career-first victory Sunday at Michigan International Speedway, winning the Pure Michigan 400.

Larson was running second and trailing leader Chase Elliott by a sizable distance when a caution for the slowing car of Michael Annett bunched the field with 12 laps left. When the race resumed three laps later, Larson quickly got up to speed while Elliott spun his tires. That proved to be the difference with Larson winning by a 1.5-second margin.

“I was teared-up that whole last few laps because I could just feel it,” Larson said. “It was finally going to be it.”

Michigan native Brad Keselowski finished third, with Ryan Blaney fourth and Kevin Harvick fifth. Larson’s win came in his 99th career start and qualifies him for the Chase for the Sprint Cup playoff with two regular season races remaining.

For Larson the emotion exhibited on Sunday was more than just winning for the first time. His good friend Bryan Clauson died on Aug. 7 from injuries sustained in a Midget car accident while racing at a Kansas dirt track. As Larson celebrated he told a national television audience he “parked it,” using the phrase Clauson frequently posted on social media after winning a race.

“This one is for the Clauson family,” Larson said. “We really miss Bryan. We love you guys. We’re going to miss him. We parked it for him, so that’s really cool.”

Larson’s breakthrough win was popular, as several drivers personally congratulated him postrace. Among those who went to victory lane were defending Sprint Cup champion Kyle Busch, former series titleist Brad Keselowski, Ricky Stenhouse Jr. and Jamie McMurray, Larson’s Chip Ganassi Racing teammate.

Elliott, a rookie, blamed himself for not getting a better restart. The situation was similar to the June Michigan race when the 20-year-old was leading only to slip up on a late restart, handing the lead and eventual win to Joey Logano.

“Bummer again, here,” Elliott said. “I hate to let my guys down is the biggest thing. For the second time this has happened. I made a mistake early on in the race. I asked my guys to bail me out, and they did. Unfortunately, I didn’t do my part again.

“One thing I try really hard to do is make the most of opportunities when they’re presented. Obviously I didn’t do a very good job of that here both trips.”

Jimmie Johnson, who had the strong car during the middle portions, rallied back from what he thought was a flat tire to finish sixth. Carl Edwards placed seventh, McMurray eighth, Denny Hamlin ninth and pole-sitter Joey Logano 10th.

Pure Michigan 400 finishing order