Larson holds off Logano and wins at The Rock

Kyle Larson held off Joey Logano on the final green-white-checkered restart in Sunday’s North Carolina Education Lottery 200 at Rockingham Speedway and captured his first victory in just five NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (NCWTS) races.

Logano who was battling back from being a lap down early in the race due to a loose wheel, restarted in 18^th place and diced his way through the field.  Logano was gaining on Larson as the laps were winding down.  But contact between Timothy Peters and Ryan Sieg brought out the final caution flag of the day with two laps remaining.

With fresher tires and more experience, Logano looked to be in the drivers seat when the race restarted.  But Larson got a great restart as Logano spun his tires and pulled out to a two car length lead.  The lead was just enough to hold off Logano for the final two laps.

“I’m usually not the best on restarts, so I was surprised I got that good of a start.” Larson said.

“I just got beat. I was waiting for him to do something on the restart and he didn’t do what I expected him to do.” Logano said. ”I spun my tires and cost these guys the race.”

Logano finished second, Brendan Gaughan third, Johnny Sauter fourth and Chase Elliott finished fifth.

“It was fun as always — probably one of the best race tracks we go to all year.  I can’t thank Andy Hillenburg (track president) enough and everybody.  Our Carolina Nut Company/Curb Records Toyota was really, really strong.” Sauter said.

During the final caution flag, Ron Hornaday Jr. spun out Darrell Wallace Jr.  Wallace’s car suffered heavy damage and was taken to the garage.  Hornaday Jr. was sent to the end of the longest line.

“He just flat out wrecked us.  It’s unfortunate!  It was fun, we just couldn’t hit it all weekend.  Put it up to the top with that last restart and we were making up some ground.  Got to him and he wasn’t going to give me the top so I knew what to do.  I had to take his line away.  I didn’t put him in the fence or anything and he just pulls that bonehead move.” Wallace Jr. said.

Hornaday Jr. was asked by NASCAR to meet with them after the race to discuss wrecking Wallace Jr. under caution.

“I didn’t know the yellow was out and I got down in there and started racing on the back straightaway, and he slowed up and then I run into him a little bit.  But down the back, I went over to the other side and I don’t know if he hit his brakes on me or whatever, but I turned him in the fence and I feel like a total idiot.” Hornaday Jr. said.

Johnny Sauter leads the point standings by 16 points over rookie Jeb Burton who finished seventh.