NASCAR: Kyle Larson Shows Up, Martin Truex Jr. Shows Out

Don’t look now NASCAR fans, but there is a battle going on. No, not a rivalry, but a battle. It’s either Kyle Larson or Martin Truex Jr.

In the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series, “The Stage King,” Martin Truex Jr. may have 13 stage wins to accompany his three race wins, but “The Young Gun” Kyle Larson is still there. He was leading in the overall drivers’ standings until NASCAR dropped the hammer on him for rules violation, stripping him of 35 points erasing his lead.

Listen: When One NASCAR Driver Dominates

Larson, who has two race wins this season, was only hanging on to the top spot in the Monster Energy Cup Series by one point before the rules violation. Martin Truex Jr. was knocking at the door, and with the penalty, Larson had to welcome him in. Luckily for Truex Jr., he didn’t need an invite. Each week and with every stage, Truex Jr. is proving that he deserves a seat at the table. In fact, he has already made the case that it was only going to be a matter of time before he became the host (and toast) of the party.

SPARTA, KENTUCKY – JULY 07: Kyle Larson, driver of the #42 Target Chevrolet, practices for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Quaker State 400 presented by Advance Auto Parts at Kentucky Speedway on July 7, 2017 in Sparta, Kentucky. (Photo by Robert Laberge/Getty Images) /

Larson Shows Up

Since securing the title of NASCAR’s Sunoco Rookie of the Year in 2014, Larson has proved that he is a driver with an exciting future. Last year, he earned his first Cup race making him eligible for the playoffs and this year the Chip Ganassi Racing driver has already qualified by doubling his wins. Not bad for a driver who is only in his fourth season as a full-time Cup driver–and certainly great–considering he has a 156-point lead over seven-time and defending NASCAR Cup Champion Jimmie Johnson.

Each week Larson continues to show up. In addition to his two wins this season, He has won five poles and has eight top 5 finishes–six of which were for 2nd-place. In Talladega Nights, Reese Bobby (Ricky Bobby’s daddy) said, “If you ain’t first, you’re last.” In Larson’s case, it seems if he isn’t 1st, he is 2nd. It will be interesting to watch him try to claw his way back to the top position in the point standings and remain there in the coming weeks.

SPARTA, KY – JULY 08: Martin Truex Jr., driver of the #78 Furniture Row/Denver Mattress Toyota, leads Kyle Busch, driver of the #18 Snickers Toyota, during the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Quaker State 400 presented by Advance Auto Parts at Kentucky Speedway on July 8, 2017 in Sparta, Kentucky. (Photo by Brian Lawdermilk/Getty Images) /

Truex Jr. Shows Out

As we prepare for the 19th race of the season, Martin Truex Jr.’s consistency and dominance has been one of the highlights of the NASCAR Cup Series. Three wins, six top 5 finishes, 12 top 10 finishes and 1,115 laps led along with a little help from the penalty issued to Larson by NASCAR have propelled Truex Jr. to the top spot.

Last season, Truex Jr. had a breakout year with four wins, eight top 5 finishes, 17 top 10 finishes and five poles. Prior to that, he only had three total career wins. Now in his 12th year as a full-time Cup driver, Truex Jr. has finally arrived and he is dominating. Like the ending of a typical superhero movie, Truex Jr. is on pace to end the season as the champion, but not without a big fight if Larson has anything to say.

DAYTONA BEACH, FL – JULY 01: Brad Keselowski, driver of the #2 Detroit Genuine Parts Ford, races Kevin Harvick, driver of the #4 Jimmy John’s Ford, during the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series 59th Annual Coke Zero 400 Powered By Coca-Cola at Daytona International Speedway on July 1, 2017 in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Photo by Matt Sullivan/Getty Images) /

The Rest of NASCAR

It certainly is the Larson and Truex Jr. Show, but there are other drivers waiting to show and prove. There is still a lot of racing left in the season and there is also this thing called wishful thinking. Kyle Busch has a real shot if he can get a win, Kevin Harvick is also knocking at the door, and Chase Elliott is holding on in 5th place in the standings. Elliott, who has yet to win a Cup race, is on the verge of having a breakout race.

On the latest episode of All Turns No Brakes, a NASCAR podcast for fans by fans, we discussed Matt Kenseth’s telling, Brad Keselowski being mad, why Dale Jr. needs to consult with his agent, Kasey Kahne’s failure to perform, Bubba Wallace’s next move and more. We also discussed how Larson has shown up each week and how Truex Jr. showed out at Kentucky Speedway. Check it out. Join the debate with Rene and I as we talk all things NASCAR in an unapologetic, humorous and unfiltered way.

Next: What About NASCAR’s Veteran Drivers?

Also be sure to follow Beyond the Flag on Twitter and Instagram.

Home/NASCAR