Larson Wins Kansas by 0.001 over Buescher, Expands lead in GFT AI Rankings

5 May 2024
By Bob Francis, Managing Editor
Go Full Throttle Racing News

KANSAS CITY, KS — The NASCAR Advent Health 400 at Kansas Speedway may forever be etched in history as the closest finish in NASCAR Cup Series history. In a thrilling, down-to-the-wire overtime battle, Kyle Larson edged out Chris Buescher for the win with the margin of victory 0.001 which required NASCAR officials and their high-speed camera system to declare the winner.

NASCAR uses two high-speed cameras for photos, not video, at the finish line, and while the “cameras are capable of taking photos at speeds of 3,000 to 20,000 per second, they are usually set for 6,000 to 8,000 frames per second”, according to FOX Sports’ Bob Pockrass.

Kyle Larson, driver of the #5 HendrickCars.com Chevrolet, takes the checkered flag over Chris Buescher, driver of the #17 Castrol Edge Ford, to win the NASCAR Cup Series AdventHealth 400 at Kansas Speedway on May 05, 2024 in Kansas City, Kansas. (Photo by Logan Riely/Getty Images)

It took less than a minute for NASCAR officials to make the call thanks to NASCAR’s ultra high-speed photo cameras capable of taking photos at speeds of 3,000 to 20,000 per second. The cameras are set to capture images at 6,000 to 8,000 frames per second based on speeds around 200 mph.

The race featured epic battles throughout, with multiple lead changes, strategic pit stops, and intense side-by-side racing. Larson, Buescher, Chastain and other contenders like Denny Hamlin and Chase Elliott consistently pushed the limits, showcasing driving skill and tire management.

The final laps were a masterclass in racing strategy and driver skill. As the white flag flew, Larson and Buescher were locked in a fierce duel, exchanging positions multiple times through the final corners. With a daring move on the outside of Turn 4, Larson managed to inch ahead just before the checkered flag, leaving Buescher a mere 0.001 seconds behind.

The Advent Health 400 at Kansas Speedway photo finish — infield view (Image Credit: NASCAR)

The official margin of victory, a mere thousandth of a second, shattered the previous record of 0.009 seconds set in 1990 by Dale Earnhardt Sr. at Talladega Superspeedway. This historic victory cemented Larson’s place in NASCAR history, solidifying his reputation as a fierce competitor and a driver who thrives under pressure.

Buescher, though disappointed to miss out on the win, still delivered a phenomenal performance, leading multiple laps and showcasing his own impressive driving talent. The close battle between these two drivers and the overtime GWC final segment cemented The Advent Health 400 at Kansas Speedway as one of the best NASCAR Cup Series races so far in the 2024 season.

Go Full Throttle Top 25 NASCAR AI Driver Rankings following the Advent Health 400 on May 5, 2024 at Kansas Speedway (Image Credit: GFT Digital)

LARSON’S WIN AT KANSAS EXTENDS LEAD IN GFT AI RANKINGS

Kyle Larson’s Kansas win, along with Stage points, expanded his lead in the GFT NASCAR AI Driver Ranking Models- now at 163.1, Larson now has a 33.4 ranking points advantage over Denny Hamlin at 129.7 and Martin Truex Jr at 124.6

Kyle Larson, driver of the #5 HendrickCars.com Chevrolet, crosses the finish line ahead of Chris Buescher, driver of the #17 Castrol Edge Ford, to win the NASCAR Cup Series AdventHealth 400 at Kansas Speedway on May 05, 2024 in Kansas City, Kansas. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)

Go Full Throttle NASCAR Box Scores after Kansas

After 12 Races …
Manufactures Box Score:
Chevrolet = 7
Toyota = 5
Ford = 0

Team Box Score:
Hendrick Motorsports = 6

Driver Box Score:
William Byron and Denny Hamlin ties with 3 wins each

GFT AI NASCAR FANTASY LIVE RACE PREDICTION MODELS

The Go Full Throttle #AI Race Prediction model scored 204 points for the Advent Health 400 at Kansas Speedway. GFT AI 1 is now in 408th place vs 4,606 players in the #TMDNASCAR league this week, maintaining position inside the Top 10 at 8.86% vs all players.