In the end, Larson faded on a battered set of tires, and Blaney raced by him for an improbable victory Sunday.
“I was not going to be able to stick with him,” Blaney said. “I’ve got to save my tires ... and see what happens.”
Blaney became the sixth driver to win in six races to start NASCAR’s Cup season, surging to the front with nine laps to go after Larson easily won the first two stages and led 269 of 325 laps on the 1.54-mile trioval.
Blaney stayed close enough to make his move, hugging the outside wall through the fourth turn and cutting to the inside to pass Larson as they crossed the line in front of the main grandstands.