Kyle Larson's busy week had its lows after he failed to reach Saturday's main event at the Chili Bowl, but he was able to get the job done out west at Vado Speedway in Vado, New Mexico, where he won Sunday's Wild West Shootout in his No. 6 Dirt Late Model car.
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Larson once again proved that no matter the kind of car or racing surface, he can get the job done and win no matter the circumstances. While Larson's effort to win a third Golden Driller trophy at the Chili Bowl ended upside down, he refocused and got the win in New Mexico, salvaging his weekend's racing efforts.
Despite the victory, it didn't come easy. He had to go to a backup car for the Wild West Shootout on Saturday after he got into some trouble during his heat race with fellow driver Tyler Stevens.
Both ended up with wrecked race cars and while Larson had a backup car, Stevens didn't. Stevens wasn't happy with Larson, and the 2021 NASCAR Cup champion was well aware of the other driver's frustration, during an interview with FloSports.
"Yeah I'm sure (he's mad)" Larson said. "...Was frustration on my part for being slow."
Despite the issues with his car and Stevens, Larson outdueled plenty of other tough competitors including Bobby Pierce, who gave Larson all he could handle during the 50-lap race until suffering a cut tire late in the race, which gave Larson the room he needed to win his first Wild West Shootout.
FloRacing captured the moment as Larson took home the checkered flag.
🏁 For the first time in his career @KyleLarsonRacin WINS at Vado! #WildWestShootout@VadoSpeedway | @WildWShootout
📺 https://t.co/zx4sV68dh5 pic.twitter.com/DEBhKqIU9o
— FloRacing (@FloRacing) January 15, 2024
The 2024 NASCAR season hasn't started yet, but Larson sure looks to be in midseason form, which is bad news for all the other Cup Series drivers and maybe even drivers who will compete in the 2024 Indianapolis 500. Watch out for the driver of the Hendrick Motorsports No. 5 in 2024 ... he's starting the year off plenty hot.
