Kyle Larson is on some kind of a roll.
He came into Sunday's 2021 NASCAR All-Star Race having won two straight Cup Series races, at Charlotte and Sonoma. He added another first-place finish and picked up a $1 million check by finishing strong in a final-stage shootout to hold off Brad Keselowski and Chase Elliott for the win at Texas.
This is Larson's second All-Star win, with his first coming in the 2019 race.
NASCAR went to a six-stage All-Star format for 2021, and Larson showed early that he would be tough as he won the first stage. He appeared back up near the front when he finished second in the fourth stage behind William Byron, and that is how those two started the fifth stage. Larson went into the 10-lap sixth stage in third behind Elliott and Byron, but in the end it came down to Keselowski, Elliott and Larson. Larson made a bold pass on the outside to get in front.
Keselowski passed him at one point but couldn't hold the advantage. Larson pulled back ahead and held off the competition the rest of the way.
One of the best burnouts we've ever seen! 👏 @KyleLarsonRacin | #AllStarRace pic.twitter.com/0FoFBtHORo
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) June 14, 2021
Sporting News provided updates and highlights throughout the All-Star Open qualifying race and the 2021 NASCAR All-Star Race.
MORE: Watch NASCAR races live with fuboTV (7-day free trial)
NASCAR All-Star Race results
Larson picked up his second All-Star Race win on Sunday. With the win, he becomes the eighth driver to win multiple All-Star races.
Jimmie Johnson's four wins are the most, while Dale Earnhardt and Jeff Gordon are tied for second-most with three. Larson joins Davey Allison, Mark Martin, Terry Labonte and Kevin Harvick with two wins each.
Pos. | Driver |
---|---|
1. | Kyle Larson |
2. | Brad Keselowski |
3. | Chase Elliott |
4. | Joey Logano |
5. | Ryan Blaney |
6. | Alex Bowman |
7. | William Byron |
8. | Aric Almirola |
9. | Kyle Busch |
10. | Kurt Busch |
11. | Christopher Bell |
12. | Michael McDowell |
13. | Martin Truex Jr. |
14. | Cole Custer |
15. | Kevin Harvick |
16. | Tyler Reddick |
17. | Matt DiBenedetto |
18. | Ross Chastain |
19. | Austin Dillon |
20. | Ryan Newman |
21. | Denny Hamlin |
NASCAR All-Star Race live updates, highlights from Texas
9:56 p.m.: Kyle Larson has won the 2021 NASCAR All-Star Race. Keselowski, Elliott, Logan, Blaney round out the top five.
$1M IN THE BANK. RETWEET TO CONGRATULATE @KyleLarsonRacin ON HIS #AllStarRace WIN. pic.twitter.com/ZgZwpQXl4h
— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) June 14, 2021
9:55 p.m.: One more lap to go.
9:54 p.m.: With three laps left, Keselowski is staying close behind Larson for the top two spots. Keselowski has tried a few times to move on the inside, but Larson isn't giving him space to move up.
9:52 p.m.: Now Keselowski clears Larson and Elliott for the lead. Larson moves back up in front, but Keselowski remains in second ahead of Elliott.
9:51 p.m.: Larson comes around from the outside to pass Elliott. Keselowski and Logano are behind them.
9:50 p.m.: Time for the final round.10 laps to decide the winner of the All-Star Race.
9:46 p.m.: Elliott's pit crew wins the $100,000 prize.
A $100,000 bonus is going to the No. 9 crew!
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) June 14, 2021
This team had the shortest time on pit road (yellow line to the last pit-road loop) with no penalties during Round 5 of the #AllStarRace ! pic.twitter.com/fYxmXHAi5m
9:42 p.m.: Ending Round 5, Elliott, Byron, Larson, Blaney and Keselowski are the top five. The final order in the fifth round will be the positions for the sixth and final round.
9:38 p.m.: Elliott, Byron and Larson has all moved ahead of Keselowski on the outside. Blaney is just behind Keselowski.
9:36 p.m.: The green flag is back out and Keselowski will lead over Elliott, Byron and Larson.
9:32 p.m.: Keselowski is back in the lead as he came out of pit road under the caution.
9:29 p.m.: Now Keselowski and Logano have pitted. Elliott is now in front of Keselowski and Byron. Chastain has some issues, but is able to save himself. Caution flag comes out.
ohhh @RossChastain | @RyanJNewman pic.twitter.com/3ZizXg2VNK
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) June 14, 2021
9:28 p.m.: The two leaders, Byron and Larson, have both gone to pit row. Keselowski and Logano are now at the front of the race, but the two still need to pit.
9:20 p.m.: Byron and Larson starting off in the top two spots early in the fifth round. Seven cars are making a pit stop right away.
9:18 p.m.: During Round 5, drivers will be required to make a green-flag pit stop that will be timed, with the fastest crew winning $100,000.
9:11 p.m.: Larson pulled up close to nearly be side-by-side with Byron right at the end of the fourth round, but Byron kept his first-place finish.
Willie B takes Round 4️⃣ #AllStarRace | @TeamHendrick pic.twitter.com/0mzSRDJgnJ
— Texas Motor Speedway (@TXMotorSpeedway) June 14, 2021
9:09 p.m.: Byron and Larson are in a close fight for the top two spots with four laps remaining. Byron is keeping himself in front of Larson so far.
9:07 p.m.: DiBenedetto quickly drops down three spots as a cluster of cars pull ahead of him. He's now down to seventh.
9:03 p.m.: Time for Round 4, the final 15-lap stage.
9:02 p.m.: Here's a look at how the standings are looking so far.
I think it is ...Byron-16, Larson-21, Elliott-23, KyBusch-26, Blaney-27, Dillon-29, Keselowski-30, Chastain-30, KuBusch-31, Bowman-32, Hamlin-32, Custer-33, Logano-37, Harvick-37, McDowell-37, Truex-39, DiBenedetto-40, Newman-41, Bell-41, Almirola-45, Reddick-46 https://t.co/GUg3aQQL7B
— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) June 14, 2021
8:55 p.m.: The invert will be nine. Byron, who already has one of the lowest cumulative scores, will start the fourth round in front. Bell, Hamlin, Larson and Ryan Newman round out the top five.
8:55 p.m.: Bowman finishes the third round in the lead.
8:51 p.m.: Alex Bowman quickly moves his way up and takes the lead over DiBenedetto with eight laps remaining in the third round.
8:48 p.m.: Fan-vote winner Matt DiBenedetto doesn't take long to pass Almirola for the top spot. Michael McDowell passes Almirola and is now pushing DiBenedetto for the lead.
8:45 p.m.: Round 3 will start with a full inversion. So Aric Almirola will now be in the pole position to start things out.
8:39 p.m.: Blaney kept the first-place lead throughout the race and finished Round 2 on top. Keselowski placed second and Chastain was in third, with Kurt Busch in fourth and Byron in fifth.
8:32 p.m.: Blaney, maintaining his lead, picked up an incredible save after he was nudged by Chastain, who is up to third in the race. Brad Keselowski is now in second.
Ryan Blaney makes a great save early and holds the lead to capture Round 2 of the #AllStarRace : pic.twitter.com/0qvnrBVr9v
— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) June 14, 2021
8:31 p.m.: The pace car is in and the drivers are off for the start of Round 2.
8:23 p.m.: The number for the inversion: 12. Ryan Blaney will start the second round in pole position with Larson now in 12th place. The top three will now be Blaney, Kevin Harvick and Joey Logano.
8:22 p.m.: Larson stays in first to complete Round 1 with Byron in second, Kyle Busch in third, Chase Elliott in fourth and Cole Custer in fifth.
. @KyleLarsonRacin gets it done early at @TXMotorSpeedway !
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) June 14, 2021
The No. 5 takes Round 1 of the #AllStarRace . pic.twitter.com/xA5B8s9Rb7
8:21 p.m.: Very quietly, Ross Chastain has climbed up from being an All-Star Open winner to moving all the way up to 10th in the All-Star Race on the final lap.
8:18 p.m.: Kyle Larson holding onto his lead as Kyle Busch and William Byron battle it out for second and third. Byron pulled in behind Busch on the outside in a very tight window. All three drivers are separated by split seconds as Busch passes Larson for a few seconds before Larson retakes the lead.
8:15 p.m.: The green flag is back out.
8:14 p.m.: Bell had to put on a new set of tires after his spin. He will only be able to change tires twice more during the rest of the 99 green flag laps.
8:10 p.m.: The caution flag has been waved after Christopher Bell spins a bit, but he's able to recover.
RETWEET IF YOU'RE WATCHING THE 2021 NASCAR ALL-STAR RACE!
— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) June 14, 2021
(What a save by Christopher Bell) #AllStarRace | #NASCARonFS1 pic.twitter.com/pdfIBgFLMs
8:09 p.m.: The green flag is out and the race is underway.
8 p.m.: Drivers have started their engines for the 2021 NASCAR All-Star Race.
Coach Gibbs ( @JoeGibbsRacing ) and Tom Landry Jr with the command! #AllStarRace | @NASCAR pic.twitter.com/y9io9UAplG
— Texas Motor Speedway (@TXMotorSpeedway) June 14, 2021
7:52 p.m.: The Side Deal now singing the national anthem.
Always a special moment. 🇺🇸 @TXMotorSpeedway | #AllStarRace pic.twitter.com/UvmJNMx4M3
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) June 13, 2021
7:25 p.m.: Drivers being introduced as they walk out double saloon doors.
Rowdy is in the building. @KyleBusch | #AllStarRace pic.twitter.com/8zuHlpY5wd
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) June 13, 2021
All-Star Open results
7 p.m.: Think DiBenedetto was happy to get a spot in the All-Star Race?
. @mattdracing has this message for you after winning the #AllStarRace Fan Vote! pic.twitter.com/CYMWSnmVn8
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) June 13, 2021
6:48 p.m.: DiBenedetto is the winner of the fan vote to keep racing on Sunday. He'll have a shot at the $1 million cash prize, along with Chastain, Reddick and Almirola.
Your 2021 #AllStarRace Fan Vote winner: @mattdracing and @woodbrothers21 ! pic.twitter.com/ZCNGyCJ2uh
— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) June 13, 2021
6:47 p.m.: Almirola will make his fourth trip to the All-Star Race. He led all 10 laps of the third stage to punch his ticket. Only spot remaining is the winner of the fan vote.
. @Aric_Almirola takes the final round of the #AllStarRace Open! pic.twitter.com/PV52JdEvih
— Texas Motor Speedway (@TXMotorSpeedway) June 13, 2021
6:42 p.m.: Almirola leads the third stage of the All-Star Open, with DiBenedetto and Buescher right behind him. 10 laps to go to determine who else makes it to the All-Star Race.
6:36 p.m.: Reddick punches his ticket to the All-Star Race. Both drivers to reach the All-Star Race will be making their first appearances in the race.
Ready for Reddick. @TylerReddick advances to his first #AllStarRace by taking round two of the #AllStarOpen ! pic.twitter.com/lFHiJN01fD
— Xfinity Racing (@XfinityRacing) June 13, 2021
6:33 p.m.: Now Almirola moves ahead of DiBenedetto and is gaining on Reddick with four laps remaining.
6:30 p.m.: Reddick has a solid lead with 12 laps remaining in the second round. Matt DiBenedetto moves into second after a bold pass over Cindric. Aric Almirola is now up to third with Cindric in fourth.
6:25 p.m.: The first round is in the books. On to the second stage of the All-Star Open.
6:20 p.m.: Ross Chastain takes the lead over Reddick late and advances to the All-Star race with the Round 1 win.
Your #AllStarRace Open Round 1 winner - @RossChastain !! pic.twitter.com/MEeJZzva5U
— Texas Motor Speedway (@TXMotorSpeedway) June 13, 2021
6:17 p.m.: On the FS1 broadcast, Reddick said that the track is "really slick for me" even as he's in the lead. He's up front with three laps to go.
6:15 p.m.: Daniel Suarez got caught up in Jones' crash and both drivers are knocked out with damage to both cars.
More trouble in Texas! 😱 @Erik_Jones spins and collects @Daniel_SuarezG in the process! (📺: FS1) pic.twitter.com/BfliF301YV
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) June 13, 2021
6:13 p.m.: Just about as soon as the green flag comes back out, Jones spins out trying to push for second. Caution flag back out, third already in the 20-lap first round.
6:13 p.m.: Green flag back with seven laps remaining. Reddick remains out in front with Chase Briscoe and Erik Jones right behind him.
6:07 p.m.: The green flag is back out and Tyler Reddick is keeping his lead from the start. Buescher spins out early after the green flag comes out, and this race is back under a caution.
6:03 p.m.: Chris Buescher and Austin Cindric will both serve pass-through penalties.
6:02 p.m.: A caution flag is out as Bubba Wallace spins out. It appears there was no contact to cause the spin.
An early caution in Round 1 as @BubbaWallace goes around in the middle of Turns 1 and 2. (📺: FS1) pic.twitter.com/968o25dAHm
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) June 13, 2021
6 p.m.: The green flag is being waved and the NASCAR All-Star Open is undereway.
5:49 p.m.: Brigadier General Lisa M. Craig has given the drivers at the All-Star Open the instruction to start their engines.
Engines have been fired. 🔥 #AllStarRace | #NLTX | @NASCAR pic.twitter.com/vzxBOEa2E0
— Texas Motor Speedway (@TXMotorSpeedway) June 13, 2021
5:41 p.m.: Some early news on positioning for the start of the All-Star Open.
NEWS: No. 42 car to start at the rear of the field for the All-Star Open at @TXMotorSpeedway , crew chief ejected.
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) June 13, 2021
Details: https://t.co/76Oyw1XKri pic.twitter.com/fU6YFlqSvc
UPDATE: @AustinCindric 's No. 33 car fails pre-race inspection twice and will start at the rear for the All-Star Open. @starr_racing 's No. 13 car will start at the rear for the All-Star Open due to unapproved adjustments.
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) June 13, 2021
MORE: Explaining the NASCAR All-Star Race format
NASCAR All-Star Race start time
- All-Star Open: 6 p.m. ET
- All-Star Race: 8 p.m. ET
- TV channel: Fox Sports 1
- Live stream: Fox Sports Go | fuboTV (7-day free trial)
The green flag for the Open, a qualifying race for drivers who didn't automatically make the All-Star field, will wave shortly after 6 p.m. ET. The Open will set the 18th through 20th positions in the 21-car field.
The 21st and last spot in the field will go the winner of an online fan vote . If the top vote-getter also wins a stage in the Open, then the driver with the second-most votes will get in, and so on, until a driver is chosen.
The All-Star Race is scheduled to start at 8:10 p.m. ET. As of Saturday night, the weather was expected to cooperate. The National Weather Service's nighttime forecast for the track in Fort Worth, Texas, was for clear skies and a low temperature in the low to mid-70s. Daytime temperatures were expected to reach the mid- to upper 90s, however, and the heat index was forecast to climb over 100 degrees.
NASCAR All-Star Race starting lineup at Texas
The NASCAR drivers who automatically qualified for the 2021 NASCAR All-Star Race field earned eligibility in three ways:
— Won a NASCAR Cup-Series points-paying race in 2020 or 2021. Michael McDowell, (Daytona 500) and Christopher Bell (Daytona Road Course) qualified with wins in '21.
— Won a NASCAR Cup Series championship. There are seven past Cup champions in the All-Star Race field: Kurt Busch, Kyle Busch, Chase Elliott, Kevin Harvick, Brad Keselowski, Joey Logano and Martin Truex Jr.
— Won a past NASCAR All-Star Race. Eight previous race winners are in the field: Kurt Busch, Kyle Busch, Elliott, Denny Hamlin, Harvick, Larson, Logano and Ryan Newman. Harvick is two-time All-Star Race winner (2007, 2018).
The draw for the starting lineup took place Tuesday. Below are the results:
Start pos. | Driver | Car No. | Team |
1 | Kyle Larson | 5 | Hendrick Motorsports |
2 | Kyle Busch | 18 | Joe Gibbs Racing |
3 | Christopher Bell | 20 | Joe Gibbs Racing |
4 | Cole Custer | 41 | Stewart-Haas Racing |
5 | Austin Dillon | 3 | Richard Childress Racing |
6 | Chase Elliott | 9 | Hendrick Motorsports |
7 | Joey Logano | 22 | Team Penske |
8 | William Byron | 24 | Hendrick Motorsports |
9 | Brad Keselowski | 2 | Team Penske |
10 | Martin Truex Jr. | 19 | Joe Gibbs Racing |
11 | Michael McDowell | 34 | Front Row Motorsports |
12 | Kevin Harvick | 4 | Stewart-Haas Racing |
13 | Kurt Busch | 1 | Chip Ganassi Racing |
14 | Ryan Newman | 6 | Roush Fenway Racing |
15 | Alex Bowman | 48 | Hendrick Motorsports |
16 | Denny Hamlin | 11 | Joe Gibbs Racing |
17 | Ryan Blaney | 12 | Team Penske |
18 | Ross Chastain | 8 | Chip Ganassi Racing |
19 | Tyler Reddick | 42 | Richard Childress Racing |
20 | Aric Almirola | 10 | Stewart-Haas Racing |
21 | Matt DiBenedetto | 21 | Wood Brothers Racing |