Amid a storm of controversy, Kyle Larson of Hendrick Motorsports clinched victory at NASCAR’s recent Brickyard 400 race, capitalizing on a chaotic restart that has sparked intense debate. The question on everyone’s lips from rivals to fans alike: Did Larson jump the restart?
Veteran insider Brett Griffin weighed in on his podcast, dissecting the drama and offering his perspective on the events at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Griffin’s analysis generated considerable interest, though it fell short of advocating for a penalty. This ignited a fiery discussion about NASCAR’s restart protocols and whether officials made the correct call.
Griffin and his co-hosts on the Door Bumper Clear podcast discussed the implications of Larson’s alleged early start during the Brickyard 400 restart, with Freddie Kraft asserting that the No. 12 car appeared to have initiated first. They debated whether this would have altered the outcome, suggesting Larson likely held a safe lead regardless. Confusion over which car was the control vehicle further muddled the situation, exacerbated by Larson’s own uncertainty about his restart responsibilities. In the heat of the moment, Larson seized the opportunity, leveraging his prior wins with nothing to lose.
The race escalated into chaos as Brad Keselowski ran out of fuel just before the restart, allowing Larson to surge into the lead amidst the confusion over control. While some contend Larson jumped the start, NASCAR officials maintained his actions were within the rules, sparking a “he said, she said” dispute. Larson’s swift reaction propelled him ahead while debate raged over the legality of his move.
Ryan Blaney, previously well-positioned, expressed frustration over the radio, criticizing NASCAR for green-lighting the restart under questionable circumstances. His disappointment was palpable, labeling Larson as NASCAR’s favored driver who was handed victory on a platter.
