In a weird twist of fate, 2023’s second race at the Darlington Raceway saw Kyle Larson snagging a victory from the firm jaws of Denny Hamlin. But the story doesn’t end with the checkered flag. Both Larson‘s and Hamlin’s fates intertwined in a riveting NASCAR Cup Series playoff opener that will be discussed for seasons to come. So, what exactly went down on the raceway?

Kyle Larson, who had previously been denied victory at Darlington despite leading 700+ laps in past races, can finally add this iconic track to his list of successes. Starting 18th, his worst in the Cup Series, Kyle Larson managed to dominate the latter part, leading 55 laps and adding a coveted jewel to his crown.

Larson vs. Hamlin: A NASCAR duel for the ages

After the race, Hendrick Motorsports ace Kyle Larson finally found himself in the winner’s circle, a place he had been eyeing for years at this iconic track. With over 700 laps led at Darlington before this win, Larson seemed to be a perennial “bridesmaid” on this circuit. This win, however, was particularly satisfying given the dramatic turns of the race and how it played out for his seasoned rival, Denny Hamlin. Asked in a post-race presser about how it felt to finally clinch a victory at Darlington, Larson seemed relieved and elated. 

“I don’t know. I mean, it feels really good, honestly, just to get a win and finally win at this track. Like you said, we’ve led lots of laps here, so to lead lots of laps here, you have to be good at a number of different races through the different years. Yeah, this is just a track that I really enjoy, suits my style, and just haven’t won yet here. It was good to do it today. I knew we were going to have a good car. We just didn’t qualify as good as we had hoped,” Kyle Larson stated in the interview.

He further added, “Honestly drove through the field way better than I thought that I would, and today did a really good job on the pit sequences to cycle us in front of people, and from then on you try and manage a race. Denny was really good, too. He was going to be hard to beat without his mishap, but once whatever happened to them happened, it kind of opened the door for a few more guys to possibly win, and we kept ourselves in the game enough to get it done.”

Hamlin and Larson’s rivalry has been the stuff of legends this season. Following a controversial crash at Pocono Raceway, believed to have been caused by Hamlin, speculations of friction between the two drivers have been rampant.

WATCH THIS STORY: Kyle Larson Namedrops Top 3 Guy As Biggest Championship Roadblock

Initially, it seemed like it was Hamlin’s race to win as he effortlessly secured the first two stages. However, things soon took a dramatic turn.

Denny Hamlin’s Darlington Misfortune that led to victory for Kyle Larson 

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Joe Gibbs star driver looked like a lock for victory, sailing effortlessly through the first two stages of the NASCAR Cup Series playoff race at Darlington Raceway. But then, the gears of fate shifted, throwing a wrench—quite literally—into his well-oiled race. With 177 laps under his belt, Denny Hamlin was derailed by an ill-timed pit stop, allowing Kyle Larson to swoop in and claim his first win at Darlington. But what was the pit stop for?

A lurking danger in the form of a ‘loose wheel’ soon foiled Hamlin’s dominant run. Just past the mid-race point, Hamlin, who had been leading, was forced into an unscheduled pit stop that pushed him a lap behind, plummeting to a 30th position in the 36-car field. A subsequent multi-car incident further caused him to a final 25th-position finish. But is the ‘loose wheel’ the real villain, or is there more to this story?

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As Kyle Larson enjoys his new crown jewel, Hamlin is left picking up the pieces of what could have been a defining victory. Yet, both drivers showed a sense of sportsmanship that transcended the tracks, rife with literal and metaphorical turns. Who will steal the spotlight next?