Kyle Larson was knocked out of Sunday’s O’Reilly Auto Parts 500 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race at Texas Motor Speedway after a heavy crash in Stage 2.

“I’m OK, thankfully. Thanks to NASCAR and their safety because that was a huge hit,” Larson said. “Just hate that I blew a right-front (tire) there. I was pretty tight but didn’t really expect to blow a right-front.”

Larson cut down a tire driving into Turn 2, sending the No. 42 Chip Ganassi Racing Chevrolet hard into the outside wall on Lap 126.

RELATED: Larson explains ‘unexpected’ wreck

After starting from the rear of the field due to the No. 42 team failing pre-race inspection three times, Larson rocketed up to the front, finishing fifth in Stage 1. He was running in the fourth position when his hardship struck.

“Just needed to get by Joey (Logano) there and I felt like I was one of the faster cars out there,” Larson said. “So, felt like we could have had a shot at the end of the race, but it was cut short.”

Another O’Reilly Auto Parts 500 contender, Martin Truex Jr., also wrecked after blowing a right-front tire.