NASCAR driver Kyle Larson has been penalized during the Cup Series race at Circuit of the Americas.The trouble began with a misunderstanding over track limits. With NASCAR officials stating that the essess would be enforced for track limits, there were issues with the interpretation of which specific turns this would include.Unfortunately, Larson’s difficulties didn’t stop there, as he lost a wheel later in the race.
More News: NASCAR: What You Need To Know About The COTA Changes This WeekendCircuit of the Americas has hosted NASCAR Cup Series races since 2021. The annual race brings drivers to one of the sport’s more challenging courses.
Kyle Larson, driver of the #5 HendrickCars.com Chevrolet, waves to fans as he walks onstage during driver intros prior to the NASCAR Cup Series EchoPark Automotive Grand Prix at Circuit of The Americas on March…
Kyle Larson, driver of the #5 HendrickCars.com Chevrolet, waves to fans as he walks onstage during driver intros prior to the NASCAR Cup Series EchoPark Automotive Grand Prix at Circuit of The Americas on March 02, 2025 in Austin, Texas.
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Penalized for the misjudged track limit violation, Larson’s race strategy suffered a blow. NASCAR’s penalty system handed him a stop-and-go penalty.Stop and go penalty for over track limits in Turn 3.— No. 5 Team (@Hendrick5Team) March 2, 2025
Unfortunately, things deteriorated further during a pit stop when a problem with securing a wheel arose. The initial issue revolved around the left side wheel taking additional time; however, it was the right front wheel that detached, leading officials to impose a heavy two-lap hold penalty on Larson’s team, drastically dimming his race fortune. By Stage 3, the chances of a top 25 finish had dwindled considerably for him.Larson had started the race at the COTA from seventh position behind Shane van Gisbergen and ahead of Kyle Busch. At the time of writing, Christopher Bell is leading the race followed by William Byron.23XI Racing driver Tyler Reddick started the race from pole position. Speaking ahead of the race, Reddick explained:”Going into (Turn) 1, I’m like, ‘Dang, I wish that he (Wallace) would have gapped himself a little bit more,’ because I felt like I was messing his lap up, for sure.”Talking to him after the fact, his focus was to go out and follow me and kind of see what I was going to do and try to mimic it. Certainly, he’s on the path to getting better at the road courses.”He’s learning and if he keeps it up here soon, I’ll be having to try to battle him head-to-head for these poles. It’s been really nice to see his growth and him improve and embrace the way we have to do things…”For the latest NASCAR news, head over to Newsweek Sports.NASCAR Cup Series: EchoPark Automotive Grand Prix Starting GridTyler ReddickBubba WallaceChase ElliottCarson HocevarDaniel SuarezShane Van GisbergenKyle LarsonKyle BuschRoss ChastainTodd GillilandDenny HamlinAJ AllmendingerTy GibbsConnor ZilischWilliam ByronMichael McDowellNoah GragsonChase BriscoeChristopher BellZane SmithAlex BowmanRicky Stenhouse Jr.Joey LoganoChris BuescherRyan BlaneyBrad KeselowskiAustin DillonRyan PreeceJustin HaleyCole CusterRiley HerbstErik JonesJohn Hunter NemechekTy DillonJosh BerryAustin CindricCody Ware