Kyle Larson and Bubba Wallace have shared some heartwarming moments in recent weeks. The Richmond Cup race last week brought some excitement involving these two prominent NASCAR figures. During the penultimate lap of the Toyota Owners’ 400, the driver of the No:23 Camry spun the No:5 Chevy, resulting in overtime and a significant change in the outcome of the race. Following the race, the duo resolved their issues, with the Toyota driver publicly apologizing for his actions.
Now, for the second consecutive weekend, Larson and Wallace have taken center stage, this time competing for the pole position during qualifying. In the final session, Wallace achieved a lap time of 19.719s, securing the provisional pole position. He had hopes of starting the race at the front on Sunday, but Larson dashed those dreams by producing a lap time of 19.718s to steal the pole.
Wallace watched his HMS rivals’ pole lap with great anticipation and had a priceless reaction. Previously, he attributed karma to Larson’s misfortune and believed that same karma had followed him into this week. Despite this, Wallace graciously congratulated Larson for his pole win as soon as he arrived in the garage area.
During his post-qualifying interview, Larson was asked about the comments made by his Toyota counterpart. In response, Larson stated that he believed the score had already been settled when he secured a third-place finish at Richmond, despite the clash between them. He also noted that Wallace’s race was disrupted during the pit stop. Both drivers appear to be enjoying the lighthearted rivalry they have developed.
Larson emphasized the importance of the pole position for him, as it would allow him to once again compete at the front on Sunday and potentially secure his second win of the season. He also acknowledged that track position is crucial in the Next-Gen era, particularly on short tracks. Fans can expect an intense battle between Wallace and Larson from the start on Sunday.