Kyle Larson’s attempt to win all three races on the same weekend was one of the biggest storylines coming into the Hard Rock Bet 300 at Homestead-Miami Speedway. After winning Friday night’s Truck race, Larson had his work cut out on Saturday as he started 17th. He put on a show and sure looked like he would cruise to a win. However, a late race caution and some luck for Justin Allgaier spoiled the fun for the Hendrick Motorsports driver.
When you know someone has a dominant performance in them, and it all gets washed away, that just sucks to see. I’m sure that’s how Larson felt after having to settle for a fourth-place finish. But before I can talk about how Larson fell short, and Justin Allgaier got lucky. I have to talk about yet another outstanding show put on by Homestead-Miami Speedway.
Late Caution Derails Larson, as Justin Allgaier Wins in South Beach
JR Motorsports continues to show speed, as they once again had some of the best cars in the field in the NASCAR Xfinity Series. Joe Gibbs Racing’s Taylor Gray was the fastest of the weekend as he put his No. 54 Toyota in the pole position for this race. The race got off without a hitch, with the biggest problem in the opening 16 laps or so, being an engine issue for rookie driver Christian Eckes.
Opening Stage Sees Strategy Call Make a Difference
With so many young and talented rookies in the field this year, lots of issues have befallen each of them. That was no different for Eckes, who’s team Kaulig Racing hasn’t had as much juice as years past. The race’s first caution came out on lap 18 as some fluid was on the race-track. The race-lead battle quickly became between Gray and Allgaier early on, but in the race’s opening laps Larson was able to get from 17th to third, fairly quickly.
Larson quickly showed his strength as he first got to the lead on lap 26. Only for a caution to come out several laps later.
We're having a lot of fun watching this battle for the lead. pic.twitter.com/EiVuxbhu6X
— NASCAR Xfinity (@NASCAR_Xfinity) March 22, 2025
After the caution, the three best cars of the day had some fun fights for the race lead, as Justin Allgier, Larson, and Sam Mayer all put on a show fighting for the race lead. As the drivers closed in on the end of the opening stage some pit strategy helped Sammy Smith get his No.8 Chevy to the stage one win. He put on a show as he somewhat came out of nowhere to grab the green and white checkered flag.
Where did he come from?!
After an incredible battle, @sammysmithSS wins Stage 1! pic.twitter.com/UvBKdSgclA
— NASCAR Xfinity (@NASCAR_Xfinity) March 22, 2025
Stage Two Goes Green As Larson Flexes Muscles
Stage two got back underway with a couple of new faces up front as Justin Allgaier got busted for driving through too many pit boxes during his stop.
PENALTY: @J_Allgaier will restart at the rear after driving through too many pit boxes. pic.twitter.com/RM4QTNNylk
— NASCAR Xfinity (@NASCAR_Xfinity) March 22, 2025
Those drivers included Carson Kvapil and Jesse Love. None however had enough to keep the No. 17 of Larson at bay as he took the lead on Lap 81 and didn’t look back as he led the next 66 laps, which also included the stage two win on lap 92. It was also during this run, that a little bit of rivalry between Larson and Mayer was boiling up. Both raced each other hard, and it wouldn’t be the end of their story on Saturday.
The No. 17 continues to flex its muscles! @KyleLarsonRacin wins Stage 2 of the #HardRockBet300. pic.twitter.com/emE2idmkQw
— NASCAR Xfinity (@NASCAR_Xfinity) March 22, 2025
Larson held the lead until a round of pitstops allowed Connor Zilisch to get the lead for a couple of laps. But Larson was all but inevitable as he took the lead back for what felt like it was going to be the final 90-plus lap run to the finish. It was a long green flag run.
Late Caution Spoils a Dominate Performance
Larson checked out on everybody else as he stretched his lead away from Sam Mayer by well over 10 seconds. Not to mention he lapped up to sixth-place with less than 10 laps remaining. Larson was well on his way to his second win of the weekend. But the weekly tradition of a late caution befell the field.
This changes everything!
Caution is out with less than 10 laps to go! pic.twitter.com/BP5oHcr18C
— NASCAR Xfinity (@NASCAR_Xfinity) March 22, 2025
Who was it? The polesitter Taylor Gray lost control on the front stretch on lap 194. The incident was enough to send the race into overtime as the five cars left on the lead lap all came to the pitlane. All five held their spots for the final restart.
Larson knew he was going to have to hold off the likes of Mayer, who was strong on short runs all day, along with Justin Allgaier and Austin Hill. The restart was wild, as Mayer had Larson jacked up to the line, and he could never get going very well.
Clutch when it counted. pic.twitter.com/6noKkP83P7
— NASCAR Xfinity (@NASCAR_Xfinity) March 22, 2025
With Larson not getting a good start both Hill and Allgaier were able to slip by. By then it was too late for Larson to do anything, and Allgaier drove off into the sunset to score his second-straight win.
Getting the victory was nice for Justin Allgaier, but I’m sure he was even happier knowing he won the Dash 4 Cash this weekend.
A DUB AND A BIG OL’ CHECK! pic.twitter.com/OIyIbaVxzW
— JR Motorsports (@JRMotorsports) March 22, 2025
Larson’s Reaction to Final Restart
As for how Larson felt about the end of the race. He spoke with the CW’s Dillon Welch, and he was bummed about how Mayer had him jacked up.
"I can't go when my rear tires are off the ground."
A disappointing fourth-place finish for @KyleLarsonRacin at @HomesteadMiami. pic.twitter.com/U6f2aU4czP
— The CW Sports (@TheCW_Sports) March 22, 2025
“Bummer, to have another Homestead race play out that way,” Larson said. ” I can’t go when my rear tires are off the ground, so I know it looks like I choked another one away but I did everything I thought I could. The 41 just lagged back and slammed the s**t out of me.”
Certainly not much more Kyle could’ve done, and in that moment Mayer has to not have the leader jacked up. I’m a little surprised no one got in trouble for jumping the restart especially since Larson was the control car. Though he’s not going to get the weekend sweep, Larson should have a good shot on Sunday.
READ MORE: Kyle Larson Rallies Late to Win Truck Series Race at Homestead
Featured Image Credit: Chris Graythen, Getty Images. 3/22/2025
