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Larson hopes to get back on track at Watkins Glen

Chad Johnston returns from his NASCAR-imposed vacation this weekend at Watkins Glen — and it couldn’t come at a better time for Kyle Larson.

Kyle Larson, Chip Ganassi Racing Chevrolet

Kyle Larson, Chip Ganassi Racing Chevrolet

Nigel Kinrade / NKP / Motorsport Images

Kyle Larson, Chip Ganassi Racing Chevrolet
Kyle Larson, Chip Ganassi Racing Chevrolet
Kyle Larson, Chip Ganassi Racing Chevrolet
Kyle Larson, Chip Ganassi Racing Chevrolet crash
Kyle Larson, Chip Ganassi Racing Chevrolet
Kyle Larson, Chip Ganassi Racing Chevrolet
A sticker remembering Bryan Clauson
Bryan Clauson, Dale Coyne Racing Honda

Johnston, Larson’s crew chief, was suspended for three races after the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series event at Kentucky Speedway when the sanctioning body discovered a creative rear brake cooling assembly on the No. 42 Ganassi Racing Chevy.

Johnston back on the box

Larson has remained second in the standings in Johnston’s absence, as Tony Lunders, team manager for CGR, subbed for the sidelined Johnston. But after finishes of 28th and 33rd, respectively, at Indianapolis and Pocono, the team will welcome Johnston back to the pit box.

“It’s going to be good,” Larson said. “It didn’t feel much different without him on the box, but definitely happy to have him back. We had a good run at Loudon (second), then we had some bad luck at Indy and also at Pocono.

“I’m sure he’s been working hard, trying to make our cars better week after week.”

Falling off

Larson earned five podium finishes in the first seven races of 2017 — and nine finishes of second or first in the first 21 events. But lately, the team has lost ground to the Toyotas of Martin Truex Jr. and Kyle Busch.

“I thought we started off the year really good — and have been really good up to this point,” Larson said. “I feel we’ve fallen off just a little bit. I also think the (Joe) Gibbs organization has gotten a little better the last couple of months, so we have to keep up with that because they seem like they’re the best every week.

“Even with them not winning up until the last couple of weeks, they were the best every week, I thought.”

Larson hopes to get the upper hand in Sunday’s I Love New York 355 at the Glen. In three Monster Energy Cup Series starts, his best finish was fourth in his 2014 debut on the 2.45-mile track.

“I really enjoy racing on the road courses,” Larson said. “It’s fun to do something different from the norm. All of our tracks have their unique qualities that make them difficult, and that’s definitely true for Watkins Glen with the left and right turns and elevation changes.

“Our Chevy has typically had good speed and balance on the road courses, so I’m hoping for a solid run this weekend at Watkins Glen. The last few weeks have been tough for us, so we could use a good finish.”

Remembering Clauson

While Larson’s focus will be on the task at hand at Watkins Glen this weekend, he will also be remembering his friend and fellow competitor Bryan Clauson, who lost his life in the Belleville Midget Nationals one year ago.

“Since I stopped racing USAC, we became closer friends,” Larson said. “I miss the friendship and I miss how close Bryan and Lauren (Stewart, Clauson’s fiancee) were to us — Katelyn (Sweet, Larson’s girlfriend) and I. So I miss the friendships and all of that. I also miss getting to compete with him, see how he’s doing. See how his month of Indy might have went and things like that.

“It hurts bad when you lose close friends like that. At the same time, he wouldn’t want you to be scared or give up what you’re doing or live your life any differently other than be happier.”

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