It sounds strange to say it’s shocking to see Kyle Larson win, but that happened this weekend at Martinsville. Larson made no secret he struggles at the “paper clip” shaped half-mile, but a two-tire stop was the key to Larson getting victory.
In a race where passing was difficult, you either had to be in front at the beginning of the race or take advantage of pit strategy. While drivers like Denny Hamlin, Chase Briscoe, and Aric Almirola were up front most of the race, drivers like Joey Logano, Martin Truex Jr., and Bubba Wallace were fortunate in their strategy to finish near the top.
Another driver who scored a top ten was Chase Elliott. Elliott missed six races due to a broken leg, and even though he was exhausted, he finished tenth in his first race back.
The Martinsville win was Larson’s first in 17 attempts. Larson celebrated by not only replicating Alan Kulwicki’s “Polish Victory Lap” but deploying an incredible burnout that covered well over a lap. Starting in Turns 1-2, Larson made those tires squeal all the way around the track and back to the start/finish line. Larson blew out the right rear, but astonishingly the car didn’t catch fire. That happened with John Hunter Nemechek’s car after winning Saturday night’s Xfinity Series race.
Kyle Larson does an EPIC full-lap burnout to celebrate his win. #NASCAR pic.twitter.com/oHhftwyuOX
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) April 16, 2023
It was one of the best burnouts of all-time, and people definitely noticed.
Heck of a burnout from Larson and hey, no fire!#NASCAR
— Nick DeGroot (@ndegroot89) April 16, 2023
Goodyear should use Kyle Larson’s burnout as a marketing angle: “Tires so tough, not even a NASCAR champion could destroy them.”
— Matt L. Stephens (@MattStephens) April 16, 2023
What's the record for longest burnout? Larson may break it at some point this year.
— Eric Estepp (@EricEstepp17) April 16, 2023
Kyle Larson just did a full lap burnout. shredded the right rear tire. Impressive. #NASCAR
— Dustin Albino (@DustinAlbino) April 16, 2023
I see Kyle Larson accepted John Hunter Nemechek’s challenge on best burnout of the weekend.
Tough one to call there.
— Brandon White (@BrandonWhite95) April 16, 2023
