Kyle Larson blows tire, hits the wall from second place at Homestead-Miami

Bad news for Kyle Larson, but he avoided a major issue. A blown right rear tire from second place brought out the caution. This is the last thing Larson needed in these NASCAR Playoffs.

Cliff Daniels had this car looked at closely before putting it back on the track. Kyle Larson seems to have avoided major damage and he will continue on in this race.

This caution will bring out more pit stops. This race is just getting started and there have been two close calls already for playoff drivers.

Kyle Larson has a flat and hits the wall!

📺 : NBC | #NASCARPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/cVjPRkBu8Z

— NASCAR on NBC (@NASCARonNBC) October 27, 2024

Kyle Larson is not the only Hendrick driver to avoid total disaster. Chase Elliott dodged Justin Haley as the No. 7 car spun on Lap 1 of the race. Already in Stage 1, two drivers with championship hopes, two former champions themselves, avoid being wrecked.

Both drivers are making pace and still competing. Larson has been moving up through the field. Everyone knows he only needs a little bit o clean air and a decent car to make speed and pass the field.

If this were another driver, I would be a bit worried. However, this is Kyle Larson and Cliff Daniels. Those two are never out of it unless they are behind the wall and in the garage. That is especially true at Homestead-Miami.

Kyle Larson, Chase Elliott avoid early wrecks

Disaster was avoided on the opening lap at Homestead-Miami Speedway as Justin Haley spun out in front of the field, narrowly missing Chase Elliott. Almost the entire NASCAR field had to dodge the No. 7 Spire Motorsports Chevy.

NASCAR Playoff drivers had to be thanking their lucky stars that they were not involved in this. Chase Elliott was close to it. Like, inches close.

CAUTION ON LAP 1!

Justin Haley goes for a long spin after cutting across the nose of Stenhouse into Turn 3.

Somehow everyone was able to check up and avoid the No. 7.#NASCAR #NASCARPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/si1JOcoB5Q

— NASCAR on TSN (@NASCARonTSN) October 27, 2024

Rick Hendrick has to be sweating right now. He has watched two of his playoff drivers almost get taken out of this crucial race. Good news for HMS, they have speed today. William Byron and Alex Bowman are both racing in the top-10 early as well.

This is the first race in a long time that Chase Elliott has speed. While he won at Texas earlier this season, that winning speed has been missing for weeks, months, honestly. He is having a tough time keeping up with Tyler Reddick and Bubba Wallace, but one adjustment and he could be the fastest car on track.