When Nascar comes to Michigan, fans look forward to high speeds, side-by-side racing, and the ver present possibility of rain. And sometimes, we can look forward to a thrilling finish.

Joey Logano won the pole, and led for a few laps. Logano was looking to sweep both poles and races at Michigan in 2016. But he was quickly passed by Kevin Harvick, who had one of the fastest cars all day.

Shortly after the start of the race, Chris Buescher, the wild card contender for the Chase, began to have engine issues. Buescher lost ground rapidly, but luckily for him, he did not blow his engine. Buescher entered the day 13 points inside the top-30, which is were he needs to be too be Chase eligible. He left the race a mere seven points ahead of 31st place David Ragan.

A competition caution flew about 25 laps into the race, and on the restart, trouble once again found Kyle Busch at Michigan. Busch got loose racing teammate Carl Edwards, and he sun down the track into the grass. While Busch’s car was undamaged, he did lose a lap in the process of spinning. Busch was obviously frustrated.

The race was relatively quite for a while after that. Kevin Harvick, Jimmie Johnson, and Brad Keslowski all took turns leading. These three were very fast, but as time passed, two new contenders surged to the front.

Chase Elliot and Kyle Larson, both extremely talented young drivers, both of whom are seeking their first win, surged to the front. Elliot and Larson traded the lead, but after a lap 127 restart, Larson cleared Elliot and set sail.

For the next 30 laps Larson maintained hi lead over Elliot, with no threat. But then, on his final pit stop, Larson’s crew was slower than Elliot’s. Elliot beat Larson of pit road, and pulled away as Larson was forced to battle Kevin Harvick and Brad Keslowski, both of whom he managed to pass. But by that time, the damage was done.

Elliot was gone. Chase Elliot, who lost the first Michigan race this year due to a bad restart, was headed to victory lane. He seemed untouchable, mainly because no one was within two seconds of him.

Suddenly, BANG. With less than 15 laps remaining, Michael Annet blew a tire, and debris flew over the track. Nascar was forced to throw the caution, setting up a late race duel. Both Larson and Elliot lined up on the front row, and it was apparent that one of the would most likely be getting his first career victory. But who?

Elliot chose the outside lane, with fellow rookie Ryan Blaney right behind him. That put Larson on the inside with Brad Keslowski behind him. The green flag flew, and both Larson and Elliot swerved wildly, each spinning their dirty tires. But Larson managed to keep his car in it’s lane, and he shot ahead of Elliot, followed by Brad Keslowski.

However, Brad was no match for Larson. Or Elliot for that matter. Chase managed to blow past Keslowski, and for the final laps Elliot tried desperately to catch Larson. But he couldn’t.

After three years, 4 second place finishes, and numerous close calls, Kyle Larson won his first career Sprint Cup Series race, and it came at the track were some of his closest calls have been. Larson did one of the best burnouts of 2016, and as he spun around, he held his steering wheel out the window. The crowd roared as Kyle Larson blew both rear tires while burning out. The win put Larson in the 2016 Chase, and he is without a doubt a serious contender. Also he snapped a 99 race losing streak for Chip Ganassi Racing. Kyle Larson is in the 2016 Chase for the Nascar Sprint Cup, and he looks to become Chip Ganassi Racing’s first Sprint Cup Series champion. Also, he completed the trio of first time winners this weekend.