NASCAR

NASCAR Cup Series Fans React To Kyle Larson Claiming Cook Out Clash’s Last Chance Qualifier Race

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By
Jeff Hawkins
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Jeff Hawkins Sports Editor

Jeff Hawkins is an award-winning sportswriter with more than four decades in the industry, in both print and digital media. He joined the Sportscasting team in 2021 following a decade of freelancing. He spent his early career as a reporter for various newspapers in Illinois, New York, Florida, North Carolina, and Michigan, with a particular emphasis as a beat reporter for the Chicago Blackhawks. Jeff earned his bachelor's degree in journalism from Oakland University. Over the course of his career he earned several sports writing awards, including two national awards from the Associated Press Sports Editors for column writing and news reporting. One of the five prized columns included a commentary on NASCAR's increasing corporate influences, particularly in northern racetracks — commentary which you might find Jeff building on as part of the Motorsports writing team at Sportscasting now.  

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Published02 Feb 2025

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Kyle Larson prior to the NASCAR Cup Series All-Star Race on May 21, 2023, at North Wilkesboro Speedway.

With a banged-up grill and a late pass, NASCAR Cup Series champion Kyle Larson survived Sunday’s night’s Cook Out Clash Last Chance Qualifier Race, capturing the 75-lap event to advance to the preseason showcase at Bowman Gray Stadium.  

Beginning with 39 entrants, 20 qualified during Saturday’s four 25-lap heat races. During Sunday’s opening event, the top two finishers (Larson and Josh Berry) and the top points pilot from last season (Ryan Blaney) advanced to the exhibition showcase before a standing-room-only crowd of more than 17,000

X (Twitter) users responded to the madness of “The Madhouse” … 

How the last-chance drivers lined up at the start … 

  Which of the “big names” were lined up for major disappointment early Sunday? Hint: not Larson … 

 NASCAR’s first green flag at Bowman Gray Stadium since 1971 … 

After starting P10, Larson (5) utilized his short-track experience to pass three machines and put himself in a position to challenge for the lead …  

 Erik Jones “turns Ty Dillon around” …

Larson bumps Ty Gibbs out of the way and into the front …

 Berry made a late charge and it didn’t seem to matter who was in his way, including Gibbs, who had a rough ride …

Local legend Burt Myers, a multi-generational driver and champion at Bowmamn Gray Stadium spun out and crashed into the wall, via a push from Ricky Stenhouse Jr., on Lap 62. Myers is a multi-track champion …   

Saturday night regulars at Bowman Gray Stadium may not believe it, but Tim Brown was nowhere near Myers’ machine at the time he hit the wall. Driving for Rick Ware Racing, Brown is the winningest driver in track history … 

The late restart demolition left Jones and a wake of destruction behind. Larson, with a badly damaged machine, barely escaped … 

Larson emerges from the rough-and-tumble opening event. How will his car hold up for the finale? …

 With Bowman Gray Stadium in NASCAR’s spotlight, will Hickory (N.C.) Motor Speedway get a chance to host a Clash weekend in the near future? …