Kyle Larson made the most of a last-minute opportunity on Saturday afternoon, stepping in as a substitute driver and claiming a dramatic victory in the NASCAR Xfinity Series race at Texas Motor Speedway. Driving the No. 88 JR Motorsports Chevrolet in place of the injured Connor Zilisch, Larson surged to the front in double overtime to win the Andy’s Frozen Custard 300.
The race, originally scheduled for 200 laps, was extended to 208 after a series of late-race cautions and two overtime restarts. Larson, who started 20th, methodically worked his way through the field before executing a decisive late-race strategy that put him in position to win.
“It was a crazy race,” Larson said in Victory Lane. “I’ve got to thank JR Motorsports for giving me the chance to drive today. Obviously, we wish Connor could’ve been here, but I’m honored they thought of me to fill in.”
The race saw several twists and turns, including a dominant performance from Larson’s JR Motorsports teammate Justin Allgaier, who led a race-high 99 laps and won Stage 1. Allgaier appeared to be the driver to beat until a late-race collision with lapped traffic ended his chances. Contact with Kris Wright sent Allgaier into the wall and out of the race, relegating him to a disappointing 35th-place finish.
Larson’s crew chief, Mardy Lindley, made a bold call in the closing laps by bringing Larson to pit road for fresh tires ahead of the overtime restart. The move paid off. With superior grip and track position, Larson charged past his competitors, seizing the lead just before the white flag and holding on through the final lap.
The victory marked Larson’s second Xfinity Series win of the 2025 season and the 17th of his career in the series. Despite not competing full-time, Larson’s performance continues to show why he is one of the most versatile and talented drivers in NASCAR.
“It wasn’t easy,” Larson added. “We had to fight for every position today, but the team gave me a great car, and the late tire strategy made the difference. These Xfinity races are always tough, and I’m just glad we could close it out.”
The win also provided a much-needed morale boost for JR Motorsports after Allgaier’s misfortune and underscored Larson’s ability to adapt quickly, even in a substitute role.
With the Xfinity Series moving forward into the summer stretch of the season, Larson’s impressive showing will surely leave a lasting impression — both as a reminder of his talent and the unpredictable excitement that defines NASCAR racing.
Next up, the series heads to Darlington Raceway, where teams will look to build momentum ahead of the playoffs.