Larson 3-time Cup winner at Lernerville
BUFFALO TWP — Taking the lead and holding onto it is something Kyle Larson has done many times, including in the NASCAR Cup Series.
Tuesday night, he accomplished it to become a three-time champion of the Don Martin Memorial Silver Cup sprint event at Lernerville Speedway.
After holding second place behind Michael “Buddy” Kofoid for the first 18 laps, Larson moved in front for good on the back straightaway on the 19th lap before pulling into victory lane.
“I was able to get my momentum built at the right time,” said Larson. “I think the track switched just about when I moved up to pass him, it got really clean into (turn) 3 and there was a spot right in the middle where I was able to get some traction.
“Even after I took the lead, I wasn’t exactly sure that I was in the right spot.”
But he was as Larson built a lead of over two seconds on Kofoid, who ended up dropping from second to fourth on the final lap. Brent Marks, who started fifth and was never out of the top five, finished runner-up.
“I wish I could’ve completed some of those passes sooner and ran Kyle down,” Marks said. “At times, it was frustrating, but we had a good car.”
The 30-lap race featured two caution flags, the first came on the initial lap and the second on the ninth lap. Afterward, Kofoid built a decent lead on Larson, but the latter soon closed the gap before earning the $25,000 for first place. Larson also won here last year and in 2018.
“I’ve never been here when it was as slick as it was tonight,” he said. “We didn’t even touch the cushion.
“This is a track I really enjoy coming to. I’m not coming to Pennsylvania a whole lot this season, so it’s good to come in and win.”
Justin Peck was third and Tim Shaffer fifth.
Heat winners were Justin Peck, Sam Hafertepe Jr., Brent Marks, Anthony Macri, Michael Kofoid, Kasey Kahne (B-Main).
