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Kyle Larson dominates a surprising Stage 1 at Bristol

JHby:Jonathan Howard•04/13/25•

Jondean25

Kyle Larson Bristol
Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-Imagn Images

Well, we aren’t going to get a tire management race. Kyle Larson figured it out and dominated Stage 1 at Bristol. After about 30 laps, the teams started to realize that the tires were holding up like they did in the second Bristol race last year.

With the warm temperatures in the air and on the track, these tires are holding up. Last Spring, they couldn’t hold on for more than 40-50 laps. Today, every team went 125 laps on their first set of tires.

NASCAR gave teams an extra set of tires today and applied more PJ1 to the track. Not sure either of those moves was necessary given the track temperatures today. Teams are on track to only use four of 11 sets of tires.

Justin Haley appeared to be the first driver to notice tires weren’t wearing out. He used that to go from 10th to 3rd. However, Kyle Larson figured it out soon after and surged to the lead over his teammate, Alex Bowman.

Last week at Darlington, passing was so difficult. William Byron led 240+ laps. Then, green flag pit stops and a late caution changed the entire race. Is Larson going to repeat that? He just led over 100 laps, and we have 360 to go.

This race is starting to look like the night race last season. Not just because of the tires but also because of Kyle Larson dominating without a second thought.

Kyle Larson searching for second Bristol win this weekend

Just as he attempted at Homestead-Miami, Kyle Larson tried to get the weekend sweep at Bristol. He couldn’t get the first win in the Truck Series and his hopes were dashed for the sweep on Friday night. However, he bounced back.

Speaking of dominating, Larson dominated the Xfinity Series. Just like he did at Homestead. This time, a late restart was not going to take his win away. He won the race on Saturday night easily and he is hoping to do the same this today.

Denny Hamlin and Alex Bowman are chasing Larson. Things just look like they are going to play out like they did back in the playoffs. I just don’t expect tires to matter at all and that means we are going to see very little passing besides on pit road.