Kyle Larson Wins the Straight Talk 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway, Byron holds P1 in GFT Rankings
23 March 2025
By Bob Francis, Managing Editor
Go Full Throttle Racing News
HOMESTEAD, FL — Kyle Larson, driver of the #5 HendrickCars.com Chevrolet, went 2 for 3, winning both the NASCAR Truck Series race on Friday night and the NASCAR Cup Series Straight Talk Wireless 400 today at Homestead-Miami Speedway.
RACE RECAP:
NASCAR Cup Series Straight Talk Wireless 400
Kyle Larson powered past his Hendrick Motorsports teammate Alex Bowman with just seven laps to go, clinching his first victory of the 2025 season and the 30th of his illustrious Cup Series career. For NASCAR fans, it was a race that delivered 267 laps of action with Larson making contact with the wall so many times his №5 Hendrick Chevrolet right-rear fender had little paint (wrap) remaining.
The day started with high expectations, and it didn’t disappoint. With four cautions and 27 lead changes among nine drivers, the race kept everyone on edge. Ryan Blaney looked poised to dominate, leading a race-high 124 laps and taking Stage 1 honors. But fate had other plans — his №12 Ford suffered a devastating engine failure with 60 laps remaining, ending his bid for victory.
Meanwhile, Denny Hamlin kept the momentum alive for Joe Gibbs Racing, winning Stage 2 and securing a solid fifth-place finish. Larson’s path to Victory Lane was anything but straightforward. Starting the weekend with a Truck Series win on Friday, he narrowly missed a triple-header sweep after a late caution cost him the Xfinity Series race on Saturday. That disappointment only fueled his fire for Sunday. “This is one of the coolest wins I’ve had in my Cup career, just because of all the heartbreak I’ve had here,” Larson said post-race. “To keep my head down and keep digging felt really good.” His late-race surge past Bowman — who led 43 laps and finished a career-best second at Homestead — proved his knack for rising to the occasion.
The top 10 was packed with standout performances. Bubba Wallace delivered a stellar third-place finish for 23XI Racing, leading 56 laps and marking his best result since last year’s Bristol Night Race. Chase Briscoe notched a season-best fourth, while Chris Buescher, AJ Allmendinger, and defending Homestead winner Tyler Reddick rounded out a competitive field. Even with the sting of Blaney’s exit, the race showcased why Homestead-Miami remains a fan favorite — unpredictable, fast, and fiercely contested.
GFT AI DRIVER RANKINGS AFTER THE STRAIGHT TALK 400 AT HOMESTEAD-MAIMI
Larson jumps up 3 spots to P2 with HMS teammate William Byron holding onto the top ranking with Stage points and a 12th place finish. Alex Bowman, also from the Hendrick Motorsports team was the Pole sitter and was in position to win until Larson caught and passed him with 7 laps to go.
Up Next:
The NASCAR Cup Series heads to Martinsville Speedway on March 30 for the Cook Out 400. If Homestead is any indication, we’re in for another wild ride. Stay tuned!
