A moment of concern for Kyle Larson right before the start of the Enjoy Illinois 300 at World Wide Technology Raceway. The massive pyrotechnics show that happens before every race left a bit of debris on Larson’s car. This is typical for the race, but this time it was worse.
A sizeable piece of debris landed on the windshield of Kyle Larson’s car. He then dialed up his radio and told his team he was worried it was too hot for his tear-offs.
If those windshield tear-offs melted into each other, it would be very concerning. The good news, Larson was on the radio soon after dismissing the issue. The debris cooled off and it didn’t appear to be much of an issue.
Kyle Larson after the pyro: "I only got one large chunk on my windshield this year. No, it looks like a … I know it's not rubber, but it looks like a big piece of rubber. I just hope it's not hot and melting the tear-offs. Which, it looks like it could be red. I don't know if…
This is what the display looked like live from the infield. Jeff Gluck of The Athletic got up close and personal with the fireworks.
RIP my eyebrows. That hurt. Do not recommend. pic.twitter.com/XyjnSewuW1
The fireballs are part of a tradition at Gateway. They do them for NASCAR and IndyCar. It’s a fun way to start the race. It has also led to a few issues on the track as debris flies all over the place.
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Good thing that the fireworks debris wasn’t a big issue. Kyle Larson has led most of the first stage and looks like the car to beat today. He has not won a race in NASCAR since Kansas all the way back before Memorial Day.
It was a summer slump going into the playoffs. Last week, Larson and Hendrick Motorsports were terrible at Darlington. Today, it looks like HMS is back to its old ways. All four cars look like they have some speed at least and they are using that to their advantage.
Larson has been great. He is a driver that the other playoff drivers don’t want to see win a race. Getting to the next round with a win takes the pressure off of Larson and his team. The other drivers would prefer the 5 team to be on its back foot. Well, that doesn’t seem to be the case right now.
It isn’t hard to imagine Kyle Larson winning today. He was up to a massive lead before a caution came out for Kyle Busch spinning out. Now, he has fresh tires and is charging back up through the field. He could win this stage after cutting it short to pit.
Big shakeup after Week 2
Top 25 sees big changes
12-team bracket after Week 2
Massive Top 25 movement
Rips Justice Haynes on sideline
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