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2021 NASCAR Cup Series superlatives during Olympics break
By Chase Wilhelm | Published: July 26, 2021 8
Jared C. Tilton | Getty Images
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James Gilbert | Getty Images
Best race: Pocono Organics CBD 325
Why: Just when we thought that Kyle Larson was going to score another victory on the 2021 season, his left-front tire thought otherwise. Larson blew a tire on the final lap, in the final corner in the first race of a Pocono Raceway doubleheader. That opened the door for his Hendrick Motorsports teammate, Alex Bowman, to earn his third victory of the year. It’s never over until it’s over.
Why: Just when we thought that Kyle Larson was going to score another victory on the 2021 season, his left-front tire thought otherwise. Larson blew a tire on the final lap, in the final corner in the first race of a Pocono Raceway doubleheader. That opened the door for his Hendrick Motorsports teammate, Alex Bowman, to earn his third victory of the year. It’s never over until it’s over.
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Dontre Graves | NASCAR Digital Media
Biggest story line: Silly Season 2021-22
Why: It seems like Silly Season gets bigger and bigger every year and this time around is no exception. From Brad Keselowski moving to Roush Fenway Racing with a driver-ownership role in 2022 to rumors that Kurt Busch could join 23XI Racing with a second-car entry, the winds of change are blowing through the Cup Series garage in full force. As Xfinity Series regulars Austin Cindric and Harrison Burton are set to move up to Cup while Matt DiBenedetto still searches for a ride, we’ll see what announcements will be made in the near future.
Why: It seems like Silly Season gets bigger and bigger every year and this time around is no exception. From Brad Keselowski moving to Roush Fenway Racing with a driver-ownership role in 2022 to rumors that Kurt Busch could join 23XI Racing with a second-car entry, the winds of change are blowing through the Cup Series garage in full force. As Xfinity Series regulars Austin Cindric and Harrison Burton are set to move up to Cup while Matt DiBenedetto still searches for a ride, we’ll see what announcements will be made in the near future.
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Dontre Graves | NASCAR Digital Media
Biggest news surprise: Trackhouse Racing purchasing Chip Ganassi Racing
Why: Usually when there’s news this huge, someone is bound to spill the beans prematurely, but not this one. On June 30 at the NASCAR Hall of Fame, Trackhouse Racing team owner Justin Marks announced that his team will purchase Chip Ganassi Racing, taking over following the 2021 Cup Series season. The organization is currently a single-car operation with driver Daniel Suarez and will expand to a second car for the 2022 season. Current CGR drivers Ross Chastain and Kurt Busch are the leading candidates for the new ride.
Why: Usually when there’s news this huge, someone is bound to spill the beans prematurely, but not this one. On June 30 at the NASCAR Hall of Fame, Trackhouse Racing team owner Justin Marks announced that his team will purchase Chip Ganassi Racing, taking over following the 2021 Cup Series season. The organization is currently a single-car operation with driver Daniel Suarez and will expand to a second car for the 2022 season. Current CGR drivers Ross Chastain and Kurt Busch are the leading candidates for the new ride.
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James Gilbert | Getty Images
Biggest race surprise: Aric Almirola winning at New Hampshire Motor Speedway
Why: It was no secret that Stewart-Haas Racing was behind the 8-ball in 2021, but that all changed as dusk fell in Loudon. Aric Almirola, who was 27th in the points standings heading into the Foxwoods Resort Casino 301, pulled off a shocking victory, passing Ryan Blaney late in the race as the No. 10 team performed a flawless final pit stop to maintain the advantage. After Kevin Harvick dominated much of the 2020 season, it was a surprise that it would be Almirola to score the first win of 2021 for SHR. Now, Almirola is playoff ready.
Why: It was no secret that Stewart-Haas Racing was behind the 8-ball in 2021, but that all changed as dusk fell in Loudon. Aric Almirola, who was 27th in the points standings heading into the Foxwoods Resort Casino 301, pulled off a shocking victory, passing Ryan Blaney late in the race as the No. 10 team performed a flawless final pit stop to maintain the advantage. After Kevin Harvick dominated much of the 2020 season, it was a surprise that it would be Almirola to score the first win of 2021 for SHR. Now, Almirola is playoff ready.
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Brian Lawdermilk | Getty Images
Best rivalry: Ryan Blaney vs. William Byron
Why: Rivalry might be too strong of a word for this one since things have cooled off, but a disagreement between Blaney and Byron was apparent at Pocono Raceway. Hard racing resulted in Blaney coming over the radio and voicing his displeasure with the No. 24 Hendrick Motorsports driver, while Byron took to a TV interview to say Blaney “put me three-wide every chance he got, so I’ll keep blocking.” Blaney even took to Twitter to say, “Not blocking good enough I guess.” An entertaining moment between two of our elite, younger drivers.
Why: Rivalry might be too strong of a word for this one since things have cooled off, but a disagreement between Blaney and Byron was apparent at Pocono Raceway. Hard racing resulted in Blaney coming over the radio and voicing his displeasure with the No. 24 Hendrick Motorsports driver, while Byron took to a TV interview to say Blaney “put me three-wide every chance he got, so I’ll keep blocking.” Blaney even took to Twitter to say, “Not blocking good enough I guess.” An entertaining moment between two of our elite, younger drivers.
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James Gilbert | Getty Images
Best driver: Kyle Larson, driver of the No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet
Why: While Larson hasn’t won in a whole five races (can you sense the sarcasm?), there’s no question he’s still at the top of the mountain among Cup Series drivers in the field. With four races remaining in the regular season, Larson has caught up to Denny Hamlin in the fight for the regular season title. Once 144 points behind Hamlin after Darlington, Larson is now just 13 points behind in the points standings.
Why: While Larson hasn’t won in a whole five races (can you sense the sarcasm?), there’s no question he’s still at the top of the mountain among Cup Series drivers in the field. With four races remaining in the regular season, Larson has caught up to Denny Hamlin in the fight for the regular season title. Once 144 points behind Hamlin after Darlington, Larson is now just 13 points behind in the points standings.
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Jared C. Tilton | Getty Images
Best crew chief/team: Cliff Daniels/No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet crew
Why: Behind every successful driver is a crew chief that helped get him there and that’s definitely the case for the No. 5 team. Daniels and his crew have dialed strong speed week in and week out so Larson can go out and fight for victories. Although they’ve made it look easy, it’s far from it. There are no signs of this squad slowing down as we head into the playoffs in September.
Why: Behind every successful driver is a crew chief that helped get him there and that’s definitely the case for the No. 5 team. Daniels and his crew have dialed strong speed week in and week out so Larson can go out and fight for victories. Although they’ve made it look easy, it’s far from it. There are no signs of this squad slowing down as we head into the playoffs in September.
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Tim Nwachukwu | Getty Images
As we take a breather for the Olympics break, NASCAR.com has handed down some superlatives for 2021 so far. Let's see who stuck the dismounts to earn gold medals with four races remaining in the regular season.