Busy weekend for Larson as NASCAR Cup Series visits Michigan

By Noah Trister

Associated Press

BROOKLYN, Mich. — Kyle Larson is ready for a hectic weekend befitting his status as one of racing’s rising stars.

Larson is set to race in Saturday’s Knoxville Nationals, squeezing in the prestigious sprint car event before returning to Michigan to compete in Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series race. Chip Ganassi, Larson’s team owner on the Cup circuit, gave him permission to race Saturday in Knoxville, Iowa. He qualified ninth in his Cup car Friday at Michigan.

“Chip’s allowing me to go to Knoxville (on Saturday), which is great,” Larson said. “Cool weekend for me and really excited for it.”

The 25-year-old Larson has two Cup victories this year — including in June at Michigan — and is third in the standings. He also won at Michigan last August .

Larson performed well enough in qualifying Wednesday to make the field for Saturday’s top race at Knoxville. He said he spoke to Ganassi about it Thursday, after Chevrolet’s event in Detroit introducing its 2018 Cup car.

“My deal with Chip is I can’t race a sprint car or midget or anything really the night before I’m on track,” Larson said.

Larson said Ganassi is making an exception for Saturday night.

“Ultimately, it’s all Chip’s decision,” Larson said. “I know my fans really appreciate it, all my sprint car fans and NASCAR fans. So Chip is a hero today and this weekend. I appreciate it.”

In a video posted on the Twitter account for Chip Ganassi Racing, Ganassi addressed fans who had been calling on him to let Larson race in Saturday’s event.

“I’ve been hearing you all the last few days. My phone and my Twitter account’s blowing up,” Ganassi said. “OK, OK, OK. We’re going to let him race in Knoxville.”

Ganassi is hoping Larson’s presence at Knoxville could draw more viewers to Sunday’s Cup Series race.

“We know the guy’s an amazing talent. We know he can win at Knoxville,” Ganassi said. “We’ve got to have him win here Sunday in Michigan, too, in the NASCAR race. Kyle’s an amazing talent. Let’s have him win in Knoxville. Let’s bring him back to win here in Michigan, and then I want all you fans in Knoxville to be turning your TVs on NASCAR on Sunday.”

If Larson wins a third straight Cup race at Michigan, he’ll be the first driver to do that since Bill Elliott, who won four in a row from 1985-86. Larson, who has seven runner-up finishes this year to go along with his two wins, has been in a bit of a rut lately, finishing out of the top 20 in his past three races.

With just four races left before the playoffs, this isn’t a good time for a slump.

“We have had probably more bad luck than bad runs,” Larson said. “I think Indy we were pretty good at, probably fourth- or fifth-best car, and then same at Pocono, but we broke a driveshaft at Pocono and got in a wreck at Indy. Watkins Glen we were definitely not very good, I didn’t think.”

Larson said it was his understanding that the flight to the event in Iowa is just a little over an hour, and he insisted he’ll get enough rest before Sunday, when he’ll try to cap off his weekend in the spotlight with a victory.

“It’s hard to have a perfect season and be fast every week, but our team is excited about the race car we’ve got here this weekend,” Larson said. “Hopefully we can make a solid weekend, have no mistakes and go for a third win.”

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Sports

Lake Stevens’ Noelani Tupua takes a shot on goal during the 4A state playoff game against Richland on Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024 in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Lake Stevens girls soccer blanks Richland

Noelani Tupua’s two goals slot the Vikings into the quarterfinals.

Lake Stevens’ Kayden Blanchard and teammate Brayden Dougherty celebrate a sack during the 4A district game against Tahoma on Friday, Nov. 8, 2024 in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Prep Football picks: State playoffs edition

Our trio of experts takes a crack at predicting winners of this week’s postseason games.

Seahawks wide receiver DK Metcalf catches a touchdown against the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Sunday, Oct. 20, 2024. (Photo courtesy of Edwin Hooper / Seattle Seahawks)
Will DK Metcalf play? Star receiver “not sure yet”

Metcalf plans to practice this week and see if he’s ready to play against the 49ers Sunday.

Stanwood sophomore outside hitter Harper Neyens hits the ball during a District 1 3A quarterfinals match against Monroe in Stanwood, Wash., on Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024. The Spartans won 3-1. (Taras McCurdie / The Herald)
Spartans volleyball tames Bearcats

Stanwood’s 54 kills help top Monroe for third time and advance to semis.

Photo courtesy of Edwin Hooper / Seattle Seahawks
Tyrice Knight (48), the likely new Seahawks starter at weakside linebacker, practices at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center on Monday.
Seahawks turn to a rookie at linebacker position

Tyrice Knight, a fourth-round draft pick this year, is the likely starter post-Dodson.

Vote for The Herald’s Prep Athlete of the Week for Nov. 3-9

The Athlete of the Week nominees for Nov. 3-9. Voting closes at… Continue reading

Darrington ranked third in volleyball coaches poll

Lake Stevens is ranked fourth, GP 10th in 4A.

WSU prepares for New Mexico

Cougs paying extra attention to the Lobos’ dual-threat QB.

Jackson wins district swimming and diving championship

Glacier Peak and Jackson each send eight competitors to state.

Prep roundup for Tuesday, Nov. 12

Arlington and GP volleyball both one win away from state

Steph Chambers / Getty Images / Tribune News Services
The Columbus Blue Jackets’ Justin Danforth (17) shoots against Seattle Kraken goaltender Joey Daccord (35) during the first period at Climate Pledge Arena on Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024.
Kraken score 5 unanswered to dump Blue Jackets

Seattle rebounds from rough first period.

Tips Week in Review: Everett wins two, loses one

The Silvertips fall to Tri-City but rebound against Calgary, Red Deer.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.