Has NASCAR Entered a New Era?
Sunday’s victory at Michigan International Speedway by young Kyle Larson may have done much more than catapult him into this seasons Chase. It very well may have moved NASCAR into a new era. The Larson/Elliot/Blaney era.
Larson has smelled victory in a few of his 99 career starts but always seemed to have it taken away. Not on Sunday. Saving his best for last, Larson, overcoming a poor pit stop, beat Chase Elliot on a late race restart and waved bye bye, capturing his first career Sprint Cup victory. Fellow youngster, Chase Elliot finished second and Ryan Blaney finished in the 4th position.
There is absolutely no questioning this trio’s on track talent. There may be some questions off it. Let’s start with runner up Chase Elliot. He seems quick to accept blame. Fair enough. It’s rather refreshing to see a young man willing to accept responsibility for his lot in life, er ah racing. What we often see with Chase is a young man that is often very hard on himself. It often looks like Chase is unhappy and not enjoying his profession.
Next, we have young Ryan Blaney. After the race on Sunday, Ryan was asked about how Kyle Larson, the race winner, must be feeling right now. “Good on him. I don’t really care”, Blaney blurted.
Look, it must be extremely difficult, after a tough race, to have a microphone stuck in your face. To Blaney’s credit, he took to twitter shortly after the race and offered his congratulations to Kyle Larson.
No one not named Dale Earnhardt Jr. knows anything about the pressure the young Chase Elliot, the son of racing legend Bill Elliot, must feel. In addition to having a superstar father Chase is also driving the recently retired NASCAR star Jeff Gordon’s old #24 car. That would be tough for a seasoned veteran to do, yet alone a young rookie. I just wish he looked like he was having a good time. Maybe smile a little more.
A NASCAR driver recently told me that once Elliot gets a win under his belt it will change for him as it did for him. Here’s hoping that happens soon. The kid is ridiculously talented. Seems like a good kid. I’m rooting for him.
Some believe that Blaney was upset at himself. They believe that he feels somewhat responsible for getting into the back of Elliot at that last late race restart and getting the #24 car lose. His sour demeanor was more directed at himself than at any opponent. Maybe so. He’s another one who has a tremendous amount of talent and is gaining experience each week.
As for Kyle Larson, he was so overwhelmed by emotion in victory lane, he had to sit down for a moment as he felt he was going to pass out. He’s won at every level of NASCAR, Trucks, Xfinity and now Sprint Cup. I wonder if his experiences in learning not only how to race these cars but also how to lose, provided him with the ability in how to win.
Soon enough we’ll see Chase Elliot and Ryan Blaney follow in Larson’s footsteps in getting that first victory. For these three there will be many days of celebration at a NASCAR track near you. In the meantime the valuable lessons learned by tough days and tough loses will prepare them for that day that everything comes together and a race victory will be theirs.
If I were a betting man I’d say that occurs sooner rather than later.
Thanks for reading. Listen to WTBQ radio on Monday and Friday mornings at 8:45 as I join Frank, Taylor and the Morning Show gang to discuss all the current happenings in NASCAR. You can also follow me on twitter @JimLaplante.
