In Kansas City, Kansas, Kyle Larson passed Chris Buescher on the last lap at Kansas Speedway, scraping against his car all the way to the finish line. His team told him over the radio that he had given everything but it was still not enough.
Larson only saw his spotter, Tyler Monn, dancing above the track when he was in Turn 3 of the cool-down lap.
The No. 5 car was declared the winner by a thousandth of a second in the closest finish in NASCAR history. It was as close as the Kentucky Derby the day before, and even more dramatic than the three-at-the-line conclusion to the Cup Series race at Atlanta earlier this season.
Larson said he had no idea if he won, but didn't really care. He thought it was awesome.
Buescher's team, which had started celebrating before the result was official, had to accept the outcome after seeing the finish-line photo.
Buescher said he didn't know what to say and couldn't see in the picture. He was disappointed to be that close.
The finish came after a caution for Kyle Busch's spin forced the green-white-checkered finish. Larson overtook Buescher in the final corner which looked like Buescher had edged ahead. Larson had even started to congratulate his team on finishing second.
A few minutes later, Larson was doing a celebratory burnout on the front stretch.
Larson's win was his second of the season for Hendrick Motorsports. It provided some retribution after finishing second last week at Dover and in the spring race at Kansas a year ago. He will attempt to run the Indianapolis 500 and Coca-Cola 600 on Memorial Day weekend.
Martin Truex Jr. finished fourth on Sunday and Hamlin, who had the lead on the final restart, faded back to fifth place.
Hamlin said he had a great view of the finish with a smile.
Buescher's finish was even more disappointing because he had overcome a big mistake midway through the race. The penalty sent him to the rear, and he had to work his way back to the front.
Ultimately, Buescher and Hamlin's teams chose a different pit strategy than the other leaders. It might have worked out for both of them if the race had finished under green.
Instead, the late caution forced the leaders to pit, setting up a historic finish in NASCAR history.
Larson said he will always remember this moment, especially because it was the closest finish in Cup Series history. He doesn't believe he will ever forget it, even if it is eventually surpassed. He's happy to be on the winning side of it.
BEST OF THE REST
Christopher Bell started the race in the front position but struggled to stay at the front throughout the day, after a 3 1/2-hour rain delay. He finished sixth, followed by Alex Bowman and Kyle Busch, whose spin caused the last caution. Noah Gragson and Michael McDowell also put Ford in the top 10, which has not won this season.
YELLOW FLAGS
Apart from stage breaks, there were no cautions until Jimmie Johnson crashed with 91 laps to go. The seven-time champion was hit from behind by Corey LaJoie after he slowed down.
Johnson said, 'I got a little help from behind while setting up for the corner and was just hanging on from there.'
Yellow flags were then shown quickly: Hamlin made contact with Austin Cindric, causing a wreck that spun out Bubba Wallace and McDowell. Harrison Burton crashed on the restart, then Joey Logano did on the next one.
ODDS AND ENDS
Corey Heim, who won the Truck Series race Saturday night, finished 22nd while substituting for Erik Jones in the No. 43 car for Legacy Motor Club. Ricky Stenhouse Jr. was 16th in his first race after signing a contract extension with JTG Daugherty Racing, and also after a wild ride in his sprint car Saturday night at nearby Lakeside Speedway. Gragson has had strong back-to-back weeks after finishing sixth at Dover. The series heads to Darlington next for its annual throwback weekend.