WATCH: Kyle Larson slams into the tier barrier in Chicago Street Race

Kyle Larson DNFed after an early race incident at Chicago.

WATCH: Kyle Larson slams into the tier barrier in Chicago Street Race

Kyle Larson crashes out at Chicago (Images via IMAGO and Screenshot via @NASCAR/X)

Hendrick Motorsports’ Kyle Larson came into Sundays’ Cup Series race at Chicago with the hopes of securing his fourth win of the 2024 season. He had the best shot at winning the event as he started on the pole and his biggest rival Shane van Gisbergen, who was the defending race winner, starting a row behind him.

But just like Shane van Gisbergen who DNfed early in the race after a crash, the 2022 Cup champions’ race ended short as well. While fighting for P2 with Joe Gibbs Racing’s Ty Gibbs in the earlier half of the race, with the tracks being a bit wet, Kyle Larson attempted to make an overtake coming into the turn six.

Unfortunalety, he was a little too fast approaching the corner and missed the turn. He slammed hard into the tier barrier and damaged the whole front portion of the No:5 HMS Chevy. Larson got caught in the barrier and despite trying multiple times get out, he was stuck and it forced his to retire from the race.

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Kyle Larson explains what went wrong for him on Sunday

The HMS driver after the DNF explained to the media what went wrong for him. As each laps got completed, he got more comfortable with breaking in the corner and he just went too deep on the lap that ended his day.

Kyle Larson
Kyle Larson (Via IMAGO)
I’m okay. I think all of us were getting a little more confident and confident in breaking. I just went to the brakes a little deeper in each lap. At that time, as soon as I touched the break, I knew I was in trouble.
Kyle Larson said.

He went on to point out that it was big hit for him and was happy he was able to narrowly avoid hitting Ty Gibbs, who was racing ahead of him. Larson added that he knew when he hit the barrier there is going to be significant damage.

It was a big hit. I’m glad Ty didn’t get caught up in it. Just unfortunate… I don’t know. I feel like everybody hit the barrier last year, and so far this week their cars were fairly fine. I could tell it was destroyed as soon as I hit it. It was a big hit.
Kyle Larson added.

Though the incident made him DNF, he was fortunate as both of his regular season title challengers had not so good races as it helped him to keep the championship P1 spot. He would be hoping to bounce back next-week and continue being the top-contender.

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