Published 03/22/2023, 8:24 AM PDT
NASCAR, Motorsport, USA Cup Practice Nov 4, 2022 Avondale, Arizona, USA NASCAR Cup Series driver Kyle Larson 5 talks with the media during a press conference, PK, Pressekonferenz before practice for the Cup Championship at Phoenix Raceway. Avondale Phoenix Raceway Arizona USA, EDITORIAL USE ONLY PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY Copyright: xJohnxDavidxMercerx 20221104_jdm_sx1_047
Having won sixteen races at the Atlanta Motor Speedway, surely Hendrick Motorsports wasn’t exactly expecting a frustrating race last Sunday. Despite the team’s impressive track record in Atlanta, only two of its four drivers could complete the race. Both Kyle Larson and William Byron were knocked out before reaching the finish line.
Alex Bowman was the highest finisher for the team during Sunday’s Ambetter 400. Cruising alongside the top 10 for a significant number of laps in the final stage, Bowman finished his race in the 14th position, while Josh Berry finished 18th. However, Larson was the unluckiest of the four as he finished the day in the 31st position.
A frustrated Kyle Larson lets rip an abusive rant
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During Sunday’s race, Kyle Larson held the fourth position for several laps in the initial stage. However, on lap 210, as Larson was driving right behind Aric Alimora, an on-track incident forced him to end his race.
via Getty MARTINSVILLE, VA – OCTOBER 29: Kyle Larson (#5 Hendrick Motorsports HendrickCars.com Chevrolet) talks with members of his crew during qualifying for the NASCAR Cup Series Playoff Xfinity 500 on October 29, 2022 at Martinsville Speedway in Martinsville, VA. (Photo by Jeff Robinson/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
After escaping a multi-car wreck on lap 191, Aric Alimora, who was leading the race, blew his tire right in front of Larson. Unable to escape Alimora’s out-of-control vehicle, Larson crashed into his car, ending his day in Atlanta. Frustrated by the incident, Larson was heard delivering an abusive rant over the radio. He said, “I swear man! No ******* luck at any of these ******* tracks.”
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Josh Berry fights it out despite a major wreck
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Chase Elliott‘s replacement Josh Berry got involved in the multi-car wreck on lap 191. Having suffered serious damage, Berry pitted multiple times before finishing his race in the 18th position.
The in-car reactions to the incidents were shared by NASCAR on YouTube. Upset by the incident, Berry’s spotter Eddie D’Hondt was heard ranting over the radio, “Ugh. We’re wrecking. Son of a *****!” To this, a frustrated Berry added, “Da**it, man! We were just starting to figure it out.”
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Apart from Bowman, Berry, and Larson, William Byron too had a difficult race. Having been caught in a multi-car wreck on Lap 191 just like his teammate Josh Berry, William Byron finished his race in the 32nd position. Unlike Berry, Byron suffered serious damage on the left side of his car and hence could not continue the race.