Larson sits 12th in the driver standings entering Sunday’s Citizen Soldier 400, in need of a strong finish to ensure his advancement in the championship competition. And in Friday’s first practice, Larson showed he has the speed to be a factor.
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UPDATE: Friday’s qualifying at Dover was canceled because of rain. Sunday’s lineup was set on owner points, with Chase drivers in the first 16 starting positions.
His best lap of 165.578 mph was fastest in the session. That puts him in the bull’s-eye for Friday’s qualifying, which begins about 3:40 p.m. ET.
Larson was on a tear in the last three races before the Chase began, winning at Michigan and finishing third at Darlington and second at Richmond. His results in the first two Chase races were just OK — he was 18th at Chicagoland before finishing 10th at New Hampshire.
He was second in May’s race at Dover, in a memorable battle to the checkered flag against Matt Kenseth.
“Dover is a really intense race track,” Larson said earlier this week. “It’s super aggressive, bumpy, easy to get caught up in some messes on the restarts. It’s probably the hardest race track we go to. Just have to be safe and hopefully have some good luck and avoid some trouble.”
After Sunday’s race, 12 drivers will advance to the Chase’s next three-race segment. Larson is on the bubble, holding the final transfer position. He is five points ahead of Jamie McMurray and Austin Dillon. So his mission on Sunday is to finish ahead of those drivers.
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Larson has history on his side this week. Including May’s runner-up finish, he has two top fives and four top 10s in five starts. He completed every lap in those races.
Martin Truex Jr. and Kevin Harvick qualified for the Round of 12 with their race wins. Larson will be in jeopardy if a driver behind him in the standings wins at Dover.
Friday’s practice results. Bold: Chase driver
