Kyle Larson wrecks racing hard with Bubba Wallace on late restart at Texas

With fewer than 20 laps to go at Texas, Kyle Larson and Bubba Wallace were racing hard side-by-side and Larson lost control. Without making contact, Larson spun around and up into the wall as he ran up the track racing against Wallace. This NASCAR race just got turned on its head.

Kyle Larson led for the most laps on the day, Bubba Wallace second most. On this late restart, they both were racing to get out front and into clean air, and it just didn’t go well for the 5 team.

When they came around, it looked like Wallace got him. However, he didn’t touch Larson. This was just Texas being Texas.

Kyle Larson CRASHES racing Bubba Wallace! #NASCARPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/SbmBhyWSrf

— NASCAR on NBC (@NASCARonNBC) September 24, 2023

This wreck ended Kyle Larson’s day. He was running really well. In fact, he was the best car on the day, arguably. 99 laps led, and it all ended here with bad tires on the restart.

Kyle Larson is actually in a rough spot here. He will now be just a few points above the cutline and has serious potential of going below it if he is unable to finish the race at Talladega next week. I only say that, because it is Dega. Every car will be lucky to get to the checkered flag.

It wasn’t all bad, at least for Hendrick Motorsports. It looked like Larson would get that 300th win for the organization, but it was someone else instead.

William Byron overtakes Bubba Wallace for win

It was tough for Larson to fall out of this race when he did. You do everything right all afternoon and then it gets taken out from under you. However, the caution from Larson’s wreck set up his teammate to grab the win.

William Byron didn’t lead all day. That is, until the final restart. Bubba Wallace let Chase Briscoe take his line from him, Byron went out and then to the inside, took position and Wallace had to give up the lead or be wrecked.

With a great final restart from Byron and a bad one from Wallace, the 24-car drove away. Amazingly, Ross Chastain fought hard to get to second place. Wallace finished third on the day and will be in a position to put himself into the Round of 8 on points if he has a good day at Talladega.

Playoff drivers had up-and-down days. William Byron is the big winner at the end of the day.