Mike McCarn/Associated Press

NASCAR at Dover 2019 Results: Kyle Larson Wins, Advances to Final 8

Megan Armstrong

Kyle Larson won the 2019 Drydene 400 at Dover International Speedway on Sunday afternoon to advance to the third round of the NASCAR playoffs. 

It marked Larson's first playoff win and sixth career Monster Energy NASCAR Cup series victory.

Just as with Saturday's qualifying round, it came down to Larson and Denny Hamlin

Hamlin won the pole and went on to win Stage 1. The No. 11 car led for more laps (219) than any other driver in Delaware, but Larson led when it counted. 

Larson led for 154 laps and dominated the latter part of the race. As a result, he secured his first win of the season—and his first checkered flag in 75 races—and moved Chip Ganassi Racing to the round of eight for the first time.

      

Drydene 400 Leaderboard

1. Kyle Larson

2. Martin Truex Jr. 

3. Alex Bowman

4. Kevin Harvick

5. Denny Hamlin

6. Kyle Busch

7. Matt DiBenedetto

8. Jimmie Johnson

9. Kurt Busch

10. Clint Bowyer

        

"It's really critical," Larson said after the race, according to NBC Sports Network's Daniel McFadin. "Everybody in this playoff field is going to be stressed next week at Talladega except for me. ... Last time I was at Talladega, I was on my lid (he flipped multiple times in a wreck). I could still end up on my lid next week, and it's not going to matter after this win."

Chase Elliott arrived to the Monster Mile with the same feeling Larson will carry into next week. 

Elliott won last week's Bank of America Roval 400 and was the reigning champion of the Drydene 400, but he was out of Sunday's race due to a mechanical issue before completing the first 10 laps. The No. 9 car entered the day 19 points ahead of Alex Bowman, who made up 17 points with his third-place finish.

Here's an updated look at the playoff standings heading into the round of 12's second race next Sunday:

Defending series champion Joey Logano, like Elliott, had a frustrating run. His No. 22 car experienced a mechanical failure before the start of the race and ended up finishing in 34th place.

Martin Truex Jr., who won the spring race here, spoke on the importance of collecting points where you can—which he did by topping Stage 2 and finishing in second:

What's Next? 

The second race in the round of 12 will be the 1000Bulbs.com 500 on Sunday at Talladega Superspeedway. Elliott won the spring race, and Aric Almirola is the defending fall champion. 

   

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