Kyle Larson starts NASCAR Playoffs with win at Darlington

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Kyle Larson had led plenty of laps around Darlington through the years, just not the last one. He finally accomplished that Sunday with victory at the Southern 500.

Larson, the 2021 Cup Series champion, came into this event having been in front for 715 career laps at the track "Too Tough To Tame" without taking the checkered flag.

"This is a track I really enjoy, suits my style," Larson said. "I just hadn't won yet. Was good to do it today."

Especially because it puts his No. 5 Chevrolet into the second round of the NASCAR playoffs no matter where he finishes at the two remaining first-round races at Kansas and Bristol the next two weeks.

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Kyle Larson celebrates in Victory Lane after winning a NASCAR Cup Series auto race at Darlington Raceway, Sunday, Sept. 3, 2023, in Darlington, S.C.  (AP Photo/Matt Kelley)

Larson led the final 55 laps for his first career win at Darlington.

"Adding this trophy to the collection is amazing," Larson continued. "This is one of three or four crown jewels."

Larson didn't have the fastest car at the Southern 500, just one that got out front at the right time while other contenders fell away.

Denny Hamlin led a race-best 177 of 367 laps and looked headed for the win before he felt vibrations for what he told his crew was a loose wheel and had to pit on consecutive laps.

"We controlled the race until we had some trouble," said Hamlin, who won the first two stages. "That's just part of it."

Tyler Reddick led 90 laps, yet lost the lead to Larson coming off pit road. Kevin Harvick, seeking the first victory of his final season, challenged Harvick for the