NASCAR driver sneaks into the race he was favored to win

To begin the Cook Out Clash race week, Kyle Larson of Hendrick Motorsports was considered the top pick by many bettors to emerge victorious in the NASCAR Cup Series preseason showdown at Bowman Gray Stadium.

Four twenty-five lap preliminary races were held around a four-corner, quarter-mile (four-tenths of a kilometer) oval in Winston-Salem, North Carolina on Saturday evening. These races determined the participation of five drivers each in the two hundred lap final event. Despite a promising practice performance, Larson struggled with qualifying and couldn’t gain ground during his heat, ultimately finishing eighth.

Due to that outcome, he found himself participating in the 75-lap Last Chance Qualifier, where he started in 10th position out of a total of 19 competitors. The top two drivers from this race moved forward to the main event, and among those who didn’t make it, the driver with the highest points in the 2024 standings got an extra chance, courtesy of a points provisional.

Larson sneaks into Clash

Larson ended up second in last year’s rankings among drivers who didn’t make it into the Clash qualification through a heat race, with Ryan Blaney taking the top spot. Interestingly, both participated in the Last Chance Qualifier. However, Blaney ran just a few laps and essentially allowed himself to qualify using the points provisional.

As a gamer, I found myself in a tight spot, knowing I had to secure a top-two finish to qualify for the big race. Starting from 10th on the grid, I gave it my all and managed to win the race. Josh Berry of Wood Brothers Racing came in second place, just behind me. Unfortunately, we’ll be starting the main event from 21st and 22nd positions respectively, with Blaney joining us in 23rd.

Hendrick Motorsports’ driver, Chase Elliott, has become the preferred contender with odds of +300 to win the race following his victory in the initial heat race after claiming the pole position. This triumph not only gives him the lead in the first round but also guarantees him the prime starting spot for the main event.

Full betting odds can be found here.

A full 23-car lineup for the main event can be found here.

Tune into Fox at 8:15 p.m. ET for the live telecast of the Cook Out Clash from Bowman Gray Stadium. Begin a FuboTV free trial today to catch all the excitement unfold!

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2025-02-03 04:32