Kyle Larson needed to have a good night at the Knoxville Raceway on night two of the 64th Running of the Nos Energy Drink Knoxville Nationals, and he did lock himself into Saturday’s A-Main with a win on Thursday night heard live on KNIA. Larson took the lead from Spencer Bayston on lap 13 and pulled away to win comfortably. He told KNIA/KRLS Sports he wished the car could have been better early on but will take his lock in and come back on Saturday.

Larson: “I got by him with a few to go and rest easier. Tough race, wish we could’ve done better earlier in the night, but I think we’re locked into 8th or 9th so I think we can win from there on Saturday.

Larson did indeed lock into the 9th starting spot for Saturday’s main event. Ryan Timms, Wednesday’s winner will start on the pole with Carson Macedo sharing the front row.