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Kyle Larson battles for third, Kyle Busch spins in head-to-head qualifier at Tulsa Shootout

JHby:Jonathan Howard•01/03/25•

Jondean25

Kyle Larson
Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

While neither NASCAR Cup Series star picked up a win in the non-wing outlaw race, Kyle Larson and Kyle Busch had two different races. Larson finished third overall in the qualifier while Busch had trouble on the track at Tulsa.

These sprint car races go by quickly. Each of these races whittles down the field to the Saturday features. This race proved to be a little difficult for both Larson and Busch as it was a physical battle on the track.

Despite his best efforts, Busch was unable to finish the race. Larson dealt with some heavy contact but was able to keep his car pointed forward and finished 3rd after starting 7th. Busch started 12th and finished 12th after a spin.

The Tulsa Shootout is a grueling event. It takes multiple days and depending on how well you do in your races, more racing than most can handle. Larson and Busch are racing in multiple divisions. This is only the first of three races for Busch and the first of four for Larson today.

Kyle Busch has had some success, winning a couple of heats. However, there is more racing in store for him if he plans on advancing to tomorrow in any of his divisions. His son Brexton is sitting on the pole, though.

As for Kyle Larson, he appears to be doing just fine. He keeps performing well and should continue to advance barring any big issues. Clinton Boyles gave Larson all he could handle out on the track in this qualifier.

Kyle Larson has more racing to do today

If Kyle Larson advances to Saturday in any of his divisions, he will complete an eight-day streak of racing across two countries and continents. He started it all in Australia last week and has now continued that streak in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Then again, this is Larson. He is just doing what he always does. There is something about him that won’t let him stop racing. He’s going to do as much as he can while he still can at a high level and you have to admire that.

Later today Larson will race his stock non-wing, winged outlaw, and winged A-class cars. He starts 5th, 4th, and 3rd in those races, respectively. I have a feeling he walks away with at least one win today.

Kyle Larson continues to define what a race car driver is and what they do. I have a feeling we are going to see a big 2025 season from Larson not just on dirt but in NASCAR as well.