FONTANA, Calif. – Kyle Larson avoided any wipeouts and found his way to victory lane for the first time this year.
The reigning Cup Series champion held off Austin Dillon and Daniel Suarez in a tense finish Sunday to win at Auto Club Speedway for the second time in his career on NASCAR’s top circuit.
After starting at the rear under penalty, Larson raced to his 17th career victory and the 11th in his year-plus competing for Hendrick Motorsports. He added another famed surfboard trophy to his 2017 award, but only after clinging to the lead through an exciting finish in the first race on an intermediate track for NASCAR’s Next Gen car.
Larson’s No. 5 Chevrolet was up front for 28 of 200 laps.
“There was definitely some guys that were quicker than us, but they had their misfortune,” Larson said. “Just kept our heads in it all day. The whole race was crazy, but definitely good to get a win in California.”