Larson Turns Heads. … Towards Victory Lane

Larson Turns Heads. … Towards Victory Lane

Are we sure this guy’s a rookie?

Kyle Larson, who tops the Sunoco Rookie of the Year standings, scored his third top five of the season, this time at Pocono. That matches the top five totals of Kyle Busch, Kurt Busch and Carl Edwards, three of the sport’s top talents. Tenth in points, Larson would earn a Chase spot if the playoffs began today – but they don’t.

So, he now heads to Michigan International Speedway to pad his dynamic rookie resume – and there are plenty of reasons he’ll do just that. And maybe even win.

Though it’ll be his first NASCAR Sprint Cup Series start at two-mile Michigan, Larson did score a runner-up finish there in last year’s NASCAR Nationwide Series race event.

Also, his performance earlier this season at Auto Club Speedway – the only other two-mile track on the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series schedule – suggests a strong weekend in MIS. Larson won the NASCAR Nationwide Series event at Auto Club Speedway, and followed it up with a thrilling runner-up finish to Kyle Busch in the Sunday NSCS event.

Larson currently leads Austin Dillon in the Sunoco Rookie of the Year standings by 26 points, 171-145.