Kyle Larson Proves Why He’s NASCAR’s GOAT With Texas Victory

TL;DR

Kyle Larson secured his second NASCAR O'Reilly Auto Parts victory of the season at Texas Motor Speedway, defeating teammate Justin Allgaier. The win further solidifies Larson's status as one of NASCAR's greatest drivers.

Key points

Kyle Larson won the NASCAR O'Reilly Auto Parts event at Texas Motor Speedway.
This victory is Larson's second in four starts this season.
Justin Allgaier was the pole winner and Larson's main competitor.
Crew chief Andrew Overstreet referenced Allgaier's nickname during the race.

Mentioned in this story

Texas Motor Speedway

Kyle LarsonJustin AllgaierNASCAR O'Reilly Auto Parts 340

auto: may 02 nascar o'reilly auto parts series andy's frozen custard 340

Larson Proves Why He’s NASCAR’s GOAT at TexasIcon Sportswire - Getty Images

During the final caution of Saturday’s Andy’s Frozen Custard 340 at Texas Motor Speedway crew chief Andrew Overstreet radioed an encouraging message to pole winner Justin Allgaier.

“Nothing stops a hungry gator,” said Overstreet, referencing Allgaier’s Little Gator nickname. “Not even the so-called ‘Greatest of All-Time.’”

But Kyle Larson, the G.O.A.T Overstreet referenced, proved too much for Allgaier during a 17-lap green-flag run to the finish. Though Allgaier caught Larson in the closing circuits, he couldn’t find a way past his JR Motorsports teammate, who won his second NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts event in four starts this season.

“I really didn’t think I had a chance there with Justin behind me,” said Larson, who beat Allgaier to the finish line by 0.293 seconds. “He was really good, catching me there on that long run after the (earlier) green-flag stop (on Lap 145 of 200).

“I was just hoping in clean air I could kind of get away, like I did the run before to start stage 3, but he was (able to get) behind me, and he could run a lot of different lanes back there, too. I was trying to do what I could to take his air away while also maintaining a good corner for myself, but he was always closing on me.

“Thanks to him for racing me clean… that was a great little run to the end there.”

The victory was Larson’s second straight at Texas and third overall and the 18th in the series of his career.

Though Allgaier matched his best finish at Texas and increased his series lead to 121 points over second-place Sheldon Creed, the disappointment was etched in the face of the runner-up.

“Without contact, I don’t know if there was any way to get around him, and I tried everything I could possibly try and just unfortunately came up short,” said Allgaier, a three-time winner this season. “JR Motorsports 1-2, obviously that’s a big deal…

“I don’t know. I’m going to go back and watch this one a bunch and try to figure out what I could have done better.”

Larson was first off pit road under caution for Rajah Caruth’s crash off Turn 2 on Lap 179. Allgaier was third behind Brandon Jones and lined up behind Larson in the bottom lane for the Lap184 restart.

Allgaier quickly cleared Jones and took off in pursuit of Larson, using the top lane to gain time on his teammate. Though Allgaier got to Larson’s bumper in the closing laps, he was stymied in his efforts to pass for the win.

Q&A

How many NASCAR O'Reilly Auto Parts events has Kyle Larson won this season?

Kyle Larson has won two NASCAR O'Reilly Auto Parts events this season.

What did Kyle Larson prove with his victory at Texas Motor Speedway?

Kyle Larson proved his dominance in NASCAR, reinforcing his reputation as one of the greatest drivers of all time.

Who was Kyle Larson's main competitor during the Texas race?

Kyle Larson's main competitor during the Texas race was his JR Motorsports teammate, Justin Allgaier.

What was the context of the encouraging message from crew chief Andrew Overstreet?

Crew chief Andrew Overstreet encouraged Justin Allgaier by referencing his nickname, 'Little Gator,' suggesting that nothing could stop him, not even Larson.