It’s Been A Strong Start To ’21 For Kyle Larson; Atlanta Another Good Track For Hendrick Driver

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Story By: JON EDWARDS / HENDRICK MOTORSPORTS – CONCORD, NC – Kyle Larson, driver of the No. 5 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 1LE, rallied from two pit road speeding penalties to finish seventh at Phoenix Raceway on Sunday. The 2014 NASCAR rookie of the year is one of only three drivers to post four top-10 finishes in the first five events of 2021. Larson is also one of only three drivers to complete all 1,116 laps this season.

HOT ‘LANTA: Larson has nine top-10 finishes in 12 NASCAR national series appearances at Atlanta Motor Speedway. In six previous Cup Series starts there, the Hendrick Motorsports driver has three top-10s including a second-place finish in 2017. Larson has also scored top-10 results in each of his NASCAR Xfinity Series starts (five) and his only NASCAR Camping World Truck Series start at the Georgia venue.

FIRST IN LAST: In his most recent start at a 1.5-mile track, Larson led a race-high 103 laps to capture the victory at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on March 7. Prior to the win, he had scored nine runner-up finishes – the most all-time without a Cup Series victory – in 71 career starts on 1.5-mile tracks.

PLAYOFF POINTS: Courtesy of a stage win (one playoff point) and victory (five playoff points) at Las Vegas Motor Speedway earlier this month, Larson has amassed six playoff points in 2021. He is currently tied with Hendrick Motorsports teammate William Byron for most NASCAR Cup Series playoff points accumulated through five races.

BRISTOL DIRT NATIONALS: Ahead of the March 28 Cup Series dirt race at Bristol Motor Speedway, Larson will compete in the Bristol Dirt Nationals this Saturday in the Super Late Model class. Practice is Thursday with a preliminary event Friday and the main event scheduled for Saturday. The Elk Grove, California, native will pilot the No. 6 entry for K&L Rumley Enterprises.

CLIFF’S NOTES: No. 5 HendrickCars.com Chevrolet crew chief Cliff Daniels was atop the pit box for Jimmie Johnson during the seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion’s final full-time season in 2020. In Johnson’s final Cup Series start at Atlanta Motor Speedway in June, Daniels helped guide him to a seventh-place finish.

YOUR CAR NEEDS: This weekend, Larson will again drive the No. 5 HendrickCars.com Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 1LE. From the convenience of home, customers can select the category, make, model and vehicle packages that are important to them from the nearly 30,000 new, high-quality pre-owned and certified cars, trucks and SUVs available at HendrickCars.com. The website also makes it easy for customers to find one of Hendrick Automotive Group’s 93 dealership locations nationwide.