Chris Buescher and Kyle Larson are engaged in a strategic battle in the final stage of the race at Sonoma Raceway. With 51 laps to go, Buescher leads overall, while Larson leads an alternate strategy. As the race progresses, the entire field pits under green to ensure they have enough fuel to finish. With 35 laps remaining, Larson takes the lead over Elliott, LaJoie, Blaney, and Grala, who are expected to pit once more. Buescher, in sixth, does not need to pit again if the race stays green. With 29 laps remaining, Cliff Daniels calls Larson to pit, and he cycles out in eighth, 12 seconds behind Buescher but with 12 laps fresher tires. Despite minimal tire falloff, No. 5 Larson is gaining on No. 17 Buescher as the race nears its conclusion.
30 to go: Larson pits 28 to go: Blaney pits 27 to go: Elliott and LaJoie pit Buescher to P1 Larson has 12-lap fresher tires than Buescher, but falloff has been minimal all weekend with the new repaved @RaceSonoma. No. 5 is 6th and multiple secs behind the No. 17 but is gaining.
Cliff Daniels called Kyle Larson to pit road with 29 laps remaining. Larson cycles out in eighth, about 12 seconds behind Chris Buescher with 12 laps fresher tires. #NASCAR
Larson, the leader, pits. Will see where he comes out in relation to Buescher.
Larson takes the lead playing the fuel-milage game. 👀 https://t.co/CwRphOdS6L
Resetting with 35 to go: Larson is leading over Elliott, LaJoie, Blaney and Grala, who all (I think) will have to pit one more time for fuel. Buescher is P6 and is the first car on the alternate strategy and does *not* (I think) have to pit for fuel again, should it stay green.
Just over 40 laps to go and just about the entire field is pitting under green to try and make it to the end on fuel. @KyleLarsonRacin has been making up tons of ground (first on the other strategy) while @Chris_Buescher led.
Coming to the green for the final stage with 51 laps to go. Buescher leads overall and Larson (P22) leads the other strategy