Darlington shocker as Kyle Larson wrecks early in NASCAR Cup race

Kyle Larson started Sunday’s race from 19th position on the grid. Driving a car inspired by Terry Labonte’s 2003 Kellogg’s car (which Labonte earned his final Cup win with), Larson’s throwback scheme was awarded ‘Best in Show’ ahead of the 400-mile race.

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Unfortunately, it didn’t look that good for long. As Larson tried to make up some ground early, he was battling side-by-side with Joey Logano for 18th when his day came to a sudden and abrupt end.

Exiting Turn 2 on the low side, Larson crossed a seam through the uneven transition between banking and apron and spun sideways. The No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet slid across the track, slamming the inside wall nose-first. Larson tried, but was unable to drive it back due to the front-end damage.

“So sorry,” radioed a despondent Larson. The car was towed back to the garage to undergo lengthy repairs. Larson won the Southern 500 at Darlington in 2023 and has the second-best average finish among active drivers at the historic track.

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It took over half the race, but Larson finally returned to the race near the end of the second stage, running over 160 laps down. He was able to quickly meet minimum speed. J.J. Yeley was the only other driver to go behind the wall during that time.

However, Larson wasn’t done wrecking yet. Late in the race, Larson got turned exiting Turn 2 and crashed in a similar manner to his earlier incident, officially ending his day. In-car cameras show that Larson abruptly slowed after Tyler Reddick hit the wall in front of him. Unprepared for the sudden check-up, Bubba Wallace ran into the back of him and spun Larson out. The caution pushed the race into the overtime and set up a two-lap dash to the checkered flag. Larson finished 37th out of 38 entries, only placing ahead of Yeley in the end.

Photos from Darlington – Race

Denny Hamlin, Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota

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Chris Buescher, Roush Fenway Keselowski Racing Ford

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Goodyear tire detail

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Cody Ware, Rick Ware Racing Ford

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NASCAR Hall of Famer, Carl Edwards, former NASCAR Cup Series driver, Greg Biffle

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NASCAR President Steve Phelps

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Joey Logano, Team Penske Ford

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John Hunter Nemechek, LEGACY MOTOR CLUB Toyota

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William Byron, Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet

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Kyle Larson, Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet

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Ryan Blaney, Team Penske Ford

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Shane van Gisbergen, Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet

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Noah Gragson, Front Row Motorsports Ford

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Riley Herbst, 23XI Racing Toyota

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William Byron, Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet

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William Byron, Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet

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General view

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General view

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General view

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William Byron, Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet

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William Byron, Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet, Joey Logano, Team Penske Ford

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William Byron, Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet

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Kyle Larson, Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet

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Kyle Larson, Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet

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Ty Gibbs, Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota

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William Byron, Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet

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William Byron, Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet, Joey Logano, Team Penske Ford

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Tyler Reddick, 23XI Racing Toyota

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William Byron, Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet, Carson Hocevar, Spire Motorsports Chevrolet

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Erik Jones, LEGACY MOTOR CLUB Toyota

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Justin Haley, Spire Motorsports Chevrolet

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Noah Gragson, Front Row Motorsports Ford, Denny Hamlin, Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota

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Kyle Busch, Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet

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Alex Bowman, Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet

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Christopher Bell, Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota, Cole Custer, Haas Factory Team Ford

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William Byron, Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet

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John Hunter Nemechek, LEGACY MOTOR CLUB Toyota, Carson Hocevar, Spire Motorsports Chevrolet, Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Hyak Motorsports Chevrolet

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William Byron, Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet, Joey Logano, Team Penske Ford

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Denny Hamlin, Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota

Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images

General view

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Kyle Larson, Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet

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William Byron, Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet

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Denny Hamlin, Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota

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Ryan Blaney, Team Penske Ford

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Denny Hamlin, Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota

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Denny Hamlin, Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota

James Gilbert / Getty Images

Denny Hamlin, Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota

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Denny Hamlin, Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota

Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images

Denny Hamlin, Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota

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Denny Hamlin, Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota

James Gilbert / Getty Images

Denny Hamlin, Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota

Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images

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