AVONDALE, Ariz.: Kyle Larson was a longshot to win Sunday’s Bluegreen Vacations 500 at ISM (Ariz.) Raceway, but the Chip Ganassi Racing driver gave a valiant effort but came up three positions short of advancing to next weekend’s Championship 4 at Homestead-Miami (Fla.) Speedway.
Larson didn’t have the best car on Sunday, but a methodical approach throughout the race put the team in contention to pounce should the race have taken a chaotic turn with the race restarted with three laps to go.
Unfortunately, for Larson, the chaos never erupted and the Elk Grove, Calif. native left Phoenix with a solid fourth-place finish and an opportunity to fight for a career-high in the championship standings next Sunday at Homestead-Miami (Fla.) Speedway.
“The 11 was obviously really fast,” admitted Larson. “But yeah, we were running around fifth to seventh all day, and that’s kind of what I thought we had for speed yesterday or the other day in practice. That’s what we ran. Would have liked to have restarted on top that final one.
“I couldn’t really make the VHT work throughout our run, but for the first few laps I knew it would be really grippy up there, I was just always stuck on the bottom. I was able to get clear after we ran a lap and got around the 4 and 19, I think, up there. But yeah, you know, it was a so so day, but able to finish fourth. Obviously we needed a win, but didn’t get that done.”
With just one race remaining in the season, Larson is already thinking about 2020 and what he has to do to propel himself even further in the Playoffs.
“Next year we’ll try and work harder and do better throughout the regular season to benefit ourselves when we get to the playoffs.”
No matter what happens next weekend at Homestead, Larson though says his 2019 season has been great.
“All in all, a great season for our team,” he said. “A little rocky at the start, but we kept our heads down and kept working hard and got our stuff a lot better and more consistent throughout this season.
“We’ll try to go to Homestead next week and get a win. I’ve felt like a win has been coming every time I show up there. We’ll try and end this season strong there with a win and celebrate in Miami.”
Follow Chris Knight on Twitter @Knighter01.
