NASCAR Hits the Olympic Pause Button: Kyle Larson’s Overtime Triumph at Indy Fuels Anticipation for Richmond Showdown
NASCAR begins a two-week Olympic break, a welcome respite for drivers in the middle of long, hot, challenging season. The series resumes at Richmond on Aug. 11.
Last race: Hendrick Motorsports driver Kyle Larson held off Ryan Blaney and Tyler Reddick in overtime to collect the Indianapolis victory he tried to get at the Indy 500 in May.
Larson’s try at the motorsports double two months ago ended as rain delayed the IndyCar event. Larson flew to Charlotte and the Coca-Cola 600, where rain also delayed that NASCAR Cup Series race. Larson never got on the track as rain and the late hour ended any attempt at finishing the race.
Fast facts: 2021 Cup Series champion Larson leads in the points and with four wins after his Indianapolis victory last week. … There are four races left in NASCAR’s regular season with Michigan, Daytona and Darlington coming after the run at Richmond. … 12 drivers have won races this season, locking themselves into the 16-team playoffs that start Sept. 8 in Atlanta. … Past champion Martin Truex Jr. sits seventh overall in the standings, the most points of any winless driver. …
Daniel Suarez and Austin Cindric are outside the top 16, but set for the playoffs after victories earlier this season. Suarez won at Atlanta back in February and Cindric won at World Wide Technology Raceway outside of St. Louis in June.
Next race: Aug. 11, Richmond, Virginia.