Kyle Larson’s chance for a strong finish at Iowa Speedway in the recent NASCAR race was derailed by a late-race spin involving Shane van Gisbergen, according to Larson’s crew chief, Cliff Daniels. The “Kyle Larson Iowa race incident” significantly altered the race dynamics by trapping faster cars behind slower traffic, making it difficult for Larson to regain position.
How Shane van Gisbergen’s Spin Disrupted the Race Outcome
In a detailed explanation shared via a video posted on social media by Demarious Smellit, Cliff Daniels broke down the crucial moment when Shane van Gisbergen spun late in the race, triggering a caution that reshuffled the field. This caution occurred after many of the fastest cars, including Larson’s, had already pitted under green flag conditions, putting them on a different pit cycle from the slower cars.
“Cliff Daniels explains how SVG spinning out ruined the race by putting all the slow cars up front and trapping all the good cars a lap down without the ability to pit for fresh tires.”
—Demarious Smellit, Social Media Account
Daniels emphasized the impact of the spin, calling it a major turning point. He described how this caution left Larson and others stuck behind slower cars, making it challenging to move back up through the pack.
“Obviously that’s a really, really big game changer,”
—Cliff Daniels, Crew Chief
“I would assume we’re going to be lining up around the 17 lead lap. Everybody in front of us will have pitted for tires right here, everybody behind this will be on the same cycle that we are… So yeah, she’s gonna be tough to get back up through there and we’re going to grind it out from here to me,”
—Cliff Daniels, Crew Chief
Earlier in the race, van Gisbergen had already faced difficulties including brake problems and a hard impact with the wall on lap 169. Although his team managed repairs to get him back on the lead lap briefly, the damage ultimately prevented any significant comeback. His second spin after contact with Kyle Busch confirmed his fall out of contention, and the resulting caution reshuffled the field unfavorably for faster cars like Larson’s.
Van Gisbergen finished 31st, but the ramifications extended beyond his own race. The caution ironically positioned slower cars at the front while pushing top competitors back, hindering their ability to advance.
Kyle Larson’s Close Call with Chase Elliott Adds to Iowa’s Tumultuous Race
The race chaos continued after Stage 2 on a restart when Kyle Larson’s No. 5 Chevrolet made contact with teammate Chase Elliott’s No. 9 car. While both were fighting for position in the middle of the pack, Elliott moved to the bottom of Turn 1 as Larson turned down late, causing Larson to spin sideways momentarily. Despite the incident, Larson was able to maintain control and avoid further damage.
“How did (Kyle Larson) save that?!”
—NASCAR Official, Social Media
This was not the first tense moment between the two Hendrick Motorsports teammates that day. Earlier, Elliott had pushed Larson toward the wall during another restart, which allowed AJ Allmendinger to make a three-wide pass on the inside lane.
Implications for Kyle Larson and Playoff Contenders
While both Larson and Elliott are securely locked into the NASCAR playoffs, Larson’s momentum took a hit at Iowa Speedway. With three race wins so far this season, Larson trails Elliott by 15 points in the regular-season standings, and the team remains optimistic about their chances moving forward. However, the setbacks at Iowa, including the spin-induced caution and close on-track incidents, underscored the challenges and unpredictability that marked Larson’s race day.
This disruption not only impacted Larson’s position in this event but highlights how a single incident can ripple through the field, changing the complexion of the race in its closing stages. For Hendrick Motorsports and their drivers, the focus will shift quickly toward refining strategy and maintaining consistency as the playoffs approach.