Week 29 GFT NASCAR AI Driver Rankings: Larson wins Darlington, Locks into Round of 12

3 September 2023
By Bob Francis, Managing Editor
Go Full Throttle Racing News

DARLINGTON, SC — Kyle Larson wins the Southern 500 to take the NASCAR Cup Playoffs opening race at Darlington Raceway. After a poor qualifying effort forced him to start deep in the field, Larson drove his Hendrick Motorsports №5 Chevrolet to the lead at Lap 313 after caution sent the field to pit road. The HendrickCars.com pit crew delivered a lighting fast stop and “Yung Money” never relinquished the lead in the final 55 laps.

Kyle Larson, driver of the №5 HendrickCars.com Chevrolet, takes the checkered flag to win the NASCAR Cup Series Cook Out Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway. (Image Credit: Jared C. Tilton, Getty Images)

Shakeup in the GFT Rankings after Race 1 in the Round of 16
(Cup Series Playoffs 16 Driver Algorithm)

Week 29 — Race 1 of the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs Round of 16 GFT NASCAR AI Driver Rankings (Image Credit: Go Full Throttle Digital)

With the win, Larson jumps 4 spots to P1 and is locked into the Round of 12. William Byron’s 4th place finish keeps him tight on his Hendrick Motorsports teammates heals just a few points behind. Hamlin, who looked like he had the car to beat, ran into trouble late and faded to a 25th place finish, but holds onto P3. Tyler Reddick’s 2nd place jumped him up 7 spots to P4. Playoff drivers Truex, Bell, and McDowell all had issues and fell down the rankings.

GFT MANNUFACTURER BOX SCORES

Week 29 GFT Manufacturers Box Scores after the Cook Out Southern 500 at Darlington (Image Credit: Go Full Throttle Digital)

Chevrolet = 16
Toyota = 8
Ford = 8
Hendrick Motorsports leads all teams with 10 wins

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Hollywood Casino 400 from Kansas (Sunday September 10)

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