In an exciting and historic finish at the Kansas Speedway, Kyle Larson emerged victorious, beating Chris Buescher by a breathtaking margin of just 0.001 seconds. This mind-bogglingly close finish has now become the closest in the history of the NASCAR Cup Series. However, confusion initially arose over who exactly crossed the start/finish line first, leading NASCAR to shed light on the difference between the painted line and their official laser line.

Brad Moran, the NASCAR Cup Series managing director, clarified the distinction during an interview on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio. Moran emphasized that the painted start/finish line, while serving as a visual reference for fans and teams, is not relied upon for determining race winners. Instead, NASCAR employs a highly accurate laser line, which is captured on camera at an astonishing rate of 4,000 to 20,000 frames per second.

Moran addressed the variations in texture between the asphalt and concrete surfaces, explaining that while the painted line may not perfectly extend onto the apron of the racetrack, it does not significantly impact the accuracy of the laser line. The laser line is used to determine race finishes with much greater precision, aligning with the tight standards that NASCAR applies to determine the winners of Cup Series races.

Amidst the intense battle in the final lap, Moran commended both Larson and Buescher for their impressive driving skills and maintaining control despite some contact between the two. Moran remarked that the last lap of this race was one of the best in NASCAR history from start to finish.

To settle any doubts over the winner, NASCAR swiftly released an image captured by their high-speed camera, showcasing the painted start/finish line along with the laser line. The official image clearly showed Larson crossing the laser line mere microseconds ahead of Buescher, confirming his victory.

This technology, utilizing high-speed cameras and the precise laser line, has been employed by NASCAR in multiple thrilling finishes. At the start of the season, a photo finish at the Atlanta Motor Speedway determined Daniel Suarez as the winner in a three-wide battle involving Kyle Busch and Ryan Blaney.

With NASCAR's commitment to ensuring accurate and fair race finishes, the use of high-speed cameras and laser lines has become an integral part of their officiating process. As fans continue to witness thrilling moments like Larson's historic victory, NASCAR's dedication to precision will undoubtedly add even greater excitement to future races.