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NASCAR: Five Lessons Learned From The Pure Michigan 400

By Michael Guadalupe

Aug 28, 2016; Brooklyn, MI, USA; Sprint Cup Series driver Joey Logano (22) leads Sprint Cup Series driver Jimmie Johnson (48) as the race begins during the Pure Michigan 400 at the Michigan International Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 28, 2016; Brooklyn, MI, USA; Sprint Cup Series driver Joey Logano (22) leads Sprint Cup Series driver Jimmie Johnson (48) as the race begins during the Pure Michigan 400 at the Michigan International Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports /
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Aug 28, 2016; Brooklyn, MI, USA; Sprint Cup Series driver Kyle Larson (42) races during the Pure Michigan 400 at the Michigan International Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
With his win at Michigan, Kyle Larson is ushering in the next generation of NASCAR drivers. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports /

Kyle Larson Ushers In the Future of NASCAR

The biggest story coming out of Michigan on Sunday is Kyle Larson winning his first race.

Not only does the driver of the 42 finally lock in his place for the Chase, but he also snaps a Chip Ganassing winless streak of 99 races.

More importantly though, Larson’s win ushers in the next generation of drivers in NASCAR.

In order for Larson to win, he had to beat out another young driver, Chase Elliot. The two drivers battled on restarts but it would be Larson who was able to take advantage of Elliot’s mistakes and shoot ahead of the field at Michigan.

These two young drivers weren’t the only ones with a impressive run on Sunday as Ryan Blaney finished in 4th and is still trying to make the Chase this season.

These three driver’s aren’t the only newer class in NASCAR, but they continue to be the ones who race up front, while other young drivers like Austin Dillon, Trevor Bayne and Ricky Stenhouse Jr. slide further into irrelevancy.

If any of the young drivers currently in NASCAR are ready for the Chase, it’s Larson. He’s put everything on the line multiple times this season and has continued to push himself and his team since he’s been in the Sprint Cup Series.

It’s finally paid off, and Chip Ganassi Racing has a fantastic driver with a big future ahead of him. Larson won his first race of the Sprint Cup Series and is now ushering in a new generation of NASCAR.

There is still a lot of work to be done if he is going to win his first championship, but now Larson has a chance to win the championship this year and has an even bigger future ahead of him in the Sprint Cup Series.

must read: NASCAR: Winners and Losers From Michigan

What did you learn from Michigan? Share your thoughts in the comments below. For even more NASCAR news head over to BeyondTheFlag.com.

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