2021 NASCAR Cup Series Fall Texas Race Page

Autotrader EchoPark Automotive 500
Sunday, October 17, 2021
Texas Motor Speedway
Time: 2:00pm/et
TV: NBC -  Radio: PRN, Sirius XM NASCAR

Race-Specific News

Race Information

Kyle Larson secures spot in Championship Four after dominant Texas win: The Autotrader EchoPark Automotive 500 at Texas Motor Speedway had dramatic ups-and-downs all Sunday afternoon with the victorious exception of Kyle Larson, who absolutely dominated the race – leading 256 of 334 laps and holding off the field on seven different re-starts in the final 125 laps alone. Larson’s win by .459-seconds over Hendrick Motorsports teammate William Byron was his series best – and career best – eighth of the season and 14th of his career. Most importantly, it punched his ticket into the Championship Four at Phoenix Raceway on Nov. 7 – the first time in the 29-year old Californian’s career he will get to race for the NASCAR Cup Series championship trophy.[Read More](10-17-2021)

#5-Kyle Larson won the Autotrader EchoPark Automotive 500 NASCAR Cup Series race at Texas Motor Speedway. The win is his 8th win of the year, 1st win at Texas and 14th career win.
#24-Byron finished 2nd followed by #20-Bell, #2-Keselowski, #4-Harvick, #12-Blaney, #9-Elliott, #18-Busch, #8-Reddick, and #99-Suarez.
#5-Larson started on pole and dominated most of the race, leading 218 of the 334 laps.  The win locks him into the Championship race at Phoenix.
Several Playoff drivers had trouble late in the race:
#22-Logano fell out of the race with 35 laps remaining when he lost an engine and finished 30th.
With 21 laps remaining, #11-Hamlin cut down a tire after contact with Blaney. He stayed on the lead lap, was caught in an accident with 6 laps to go, and still battled back to 11th.
#19-Truex, Jr. wrecked with 14 laps remaining, after contact from #99-Suarez.  He could not continue and finished 25th.
Stage 1 was won by #18-Busch. Stage 2 was won by #5-Larson.
There were 8 lead changes among 5 drivers and 11 cautions for 55 yellow flag laps.
The average speed of the race was: 134.859mph.
See race details at: Race Results, Driver Points Standings, Owner Points Standings, Cumulative Report, Penalty Report.

Race Fast Facts – Texas:
Kyle Larson (P) won the 17th Annual Autotrader EchoPark Automotive 500, his 14th victory in 257 Cup Series races.
This is his eighth victory and 24th top-10 finish in 2021.
This is his first victory and fifth top-10 finish in 15 races at Texas Motor Speedway.
William Byron (second) posted his third top-10 finish in eight races at Texas Motor Speedway. It is his 18th top-10 finish in 2021.
Christopher Bell (third) posted his second top-10 finish in four races at Texas Motor Speedway.
Chase Briscoe (15th) was the highest finishing rookie.
Kyle Larson (P) leads the point standings by 51 points over Ryan Blaney (P).
(NASCAR)(10-17-2021)

Where the 2021 Cup Series Playoff drivers finished at Texas:
#5-Kyle Larson, 1st
#2-Brad Keselowski, 4th
#12-Ryan Blaney, 6th
#9-Chase Elliott, 7th
#18-Kyle Busch, 8th
#11-Denny Hamlin, 11th
#19-Martin Truex, Jr., 25th
#22-Joey Logano, 30th

Cup Series Playoff Standings after Texas:
(Race 33 of 36 in the season; Race 1 of 3 in the Round of 8)
1) #5-Kyle Larson [Win in Round of 8; locked into Championship race], 4123
2) #12-Ryan Blaney, 4072
3) #11-Denny Hamlin 4064
4) #18-Kyle Busch, 4063
Below the cutoff for the Championship Race
5) #9-Chase Elliott, 4055
6) #2-Brad Keselowski, 4048
7) #19-Martin Truex, Jr., 4041
8) #22-Joey Logano, 4020
See the Driver Points Standings and Owners Point Standings.

Paint schemes

Cars to the rear: #7-LaJoie (multiple inspection failures), #9-Elliott (multiple inspection failures), #14-Briscoe (multiple inspection failures), #15-Smithley (multiple inspection failures), #48-Bowman (unapproved adjustments), #66-Starr (multiple inspection failures), #77-Haley (unapproved adjustments)

Pit Stall Selections: The selections of pit stalls for the Autotrader EchoPark Automotive 500 NASCAR Cup Series race at Texas Motor Speedway have been made.
Pole sitter #5-Larson chose pit stall 1.
Outside pole sitter #11-Hamlin took the 14th stall, with an opening in front of it.
See all pit choices on Pit Stall chart.(10-14-2021)

#5-Kyle Larson will start from the pole for the Autotrader EchoPark Automotive 500 NASCAR Cup Series race at Texas Motor Speedway.
#11-Hamlin will start second, followed by #18-Busch, #12-Blaney, #22-Logano, #9-Elliott, #2-Keselowski, #19-Truex, Jr., #8-Reddick, and #17-Buescher.
The lineup was set by the qualifying metrics, based on race finish, points position, and fastest race lap.
See the complete starting order on the Autotrader EchoPark Automotive 500 Starting Lineup page.(10-13-2021)

Crew Rosters

Goodyear Tire Notes

The Entry List for the Autotrader EchoPark Automotive 500 NASCAR Cup Series race at Texas Motor Speedway is posted, 39 teams/drivers [for 40 spots] are listed.
Some of the drivers entered include: #13-Hill, #15-Smithley, #53-Gase, #66-Starr.
See the full entry list on the Autotrader EchoPark Automotive 500 Entry List page.

There will not be practice or qualifying at Texas.

2021 Cup Series: Autotrader Echopark 500 at Texas TandemDraft Stats

 

Weekend on-track schedule

Saturday, October 16
3:00 PM NCS ROOKIE MEETING (VIRTUAL)
3:30 PM NCS DRIVER / CREW CHIEF MEETING (VIRTUAL)
7:30 PM-9:30 PM NCS HAULERS ENTER (EQUIPMENT UNLOADING)

Sunday, October 17
6:00 AM NCS GARAGE OPEN
7:00 AM
NCS VIP GARAGE ACCESS PERMITTED
11:30 AM NCS GRID ACCESS OPEN TO PROPERLY CREDENTIALED GUESTS
12:30 PM NCS DRIVERS REPORT TO VEHICLES (GRID LOCATION)
12:35 PM NCS DRIVER INTRODUCTIONS (DRIVERS STANDING BY CARS)
1:00 PM (2:00 PM/ET) NCS RACE (STAGES 105/210/334 LAPS = 501 MILES)
5:30 PM Approx NCS HAULERS EXIT