Kurt Busch tames the Monster and his naysayers

Victory for Busch and the No. 22 Penske team.
Credit: Jerry Markland/Getty Images for NASCAR

After weeks of tension and stress in the No. 22 camp, Kurt Busch proved why he is a NASCAR Champion, putting all that beside him and driving his way to victory at the AAA 400.

In a race dominated by Jimmie Johnson and Carl Edwards, who together led 273 laps, Busch was a contender for the entire race as he himself led 90 laps. (Tune into Skirts and Scuffs tomorrow evening for full coverage of the 12 Chase contenders.)

After Martin Truex Jr. started on pole, he was passed on Lap 3 by Kurt Busch. Caution was brought out at lap 6 after the Nos. 11 and 43 made slight contact. Allmendinger got loose but with an amazing save, did not hit anything and was able to regain composure and rally onward.

Weather showers briefly halted racing at Lap 20 and were also the cause of a scheduled competition at Lap 40. The weather would prove to be a continuing factor and again brought out a caution at Lap 257.

For a track with the moniker of "The Monster Mile," Miles was on good behavior today; his appetite for destruction must be dwindling in the cool, crisp fall air. Most accidents were single-car accidents; the exceptions were Allmendinger/Hamlin and a later accident with Labonte and Ragan.

Race results:

1. Kurt Busch
2. Jimmie Johnson
3. Carl Edwards
4. Kasey Kahne
5. Matt Kenseth
6. Kyle Busch
7. AJ Allmendinger
8. Clint Bowyer
9. Marcos Ambrose
10. Kevin Harvick
11. Jeff Burton
12. Jeff Gordon
13. David Reutimann
14. Brian Vickers
15. Jamie McMurray
16. Paul Menard
17. Regan Smith
18. Denny Hamlin
19. Mark Martin
20. Brad Keselowski
21. David Ragan
22. Juan Pablo Montoya
23. Ryan Newman
24. Dale Earnhardt Jr.
25. Tony Stewart
26. Bobby Labonte
27. Greg Biffle
28. David Gilliland
29. Joey Logano
30. Martin Truex Jr.
31. Landon Cassill
32. Dave Blaney
33. Andy Lally
34. J J Yeley
35. Casey Mears
36. Mike Bliss
37. Josh Wise
38. Reed Sorenson
39. Joe Nemechek
40. Michael McDowell
41. David Stremme
42. Scott Speed
43. Travis Kvapil

 The Sprint Cup Series heads to Kansas next weekend, for race No. 4 of the Chase to the Sprint Cup. We will have live coverage of the race - stay tuned to Skirts and Scuffs.