Kurt Busch wins at Richmond to claim first Nationwide victory for Kyle Busch Motorsports
The brother Busch are in victory lane for the first time in the NASCAR Nationwide Series. Credit: Drew Hallowell/Getty Images for NASCAR |
Starting off the season, owner and driver Kyle Busch crashed at Daytona and finished in 18th position. From there Kyle went on to Phoenix (11th), Las Vegas (33rd), Bristol (17th), Fontana (8th), and Kurt took over the No. 54 at Texas with a 30th place finish. This is not a start to the season that either Busch nor the media has expected. As it was announced that KBM was moving to the Nationwide Series, the owners title was practically given to the KBM team, but it has not proven to be that easy.
Kevin Harvick was the car to beat tonight, leading a race high 158 (of 250 total) laps. It was after the final green flag pit stops at Lap 222 that Busch seemingly pulled away with the victory, until a late charge from Denny Hamlin. With a handful of laps to go, Hamlin made it a drag race to the finish, something Busch knows a little bit about.
Credit: Todd Warshaw/Getty Images for NASCAR |
"My heart was beating out of my chest more tonight than any race I've ever raced, any close finish I've ever had," Kyle the owner said on watching his brother fight for the win. "All the stars aligned and Kurt Bush put the car in Victory Lane tonight."
Tonight's race was full of excitement, Travis Pastrana made his long awaited NASCAR debut and after a hard fight to stay on the lead lap, was lapped and would finish in 22nd. (Look for a special Pastrana story covering his debut tomorrow.)
Ryan Blaney also made his NASCAR debut in an impressive 7th place finish. Steven Wallace also made his NASCAR return after sitting out the first portion of the season, finishing in 11th place.
Race results:
Credit: Drew Hallowell/Getty Images for NASCAR |
- Kurt Busch
- Denny Hamlin
- Kevin Harvick
- Ricky Stenhouse Jr.
- Sam Hornish Jr.
- Elliott Sadler
- Ryan Blaney
- Michael Annett
- Austin Dillon
- Kasey Kahne
- Steven Wallace
- James Buescher
- Joe Nemechek
- Brian Scott
- Justin Allgaier
- Brad Keselowski
- Mike Bliss
- Joey Logano
- Cole Whitt
- Johanna Long
- Danica Patrick
- Travis Pastrana
- Casey Roderick
- Mike Wallace
- Tayler Malsam
- Timmy Hill
- Kevin Lepage
- T.J. Bell
- Tanner Berryhill
- Jason Bowles
- Eric McClure
- Matt Frahm
- Jeremy Clements
- Robert Richardson Jr.
- Erik Darnell
- Morgan Shepherd
- J.J. Yeley
- Josh Wise
- Blake Koch
- Scott Speed
- Mike Harmon
- Chase Miller
- Jeff Green
Kurt Busch wins at Richmond to claim first Nationwide victory for Kyle Busch Motorsports
Reviewed by Unknown
on
Friday, April 27, 2012
Rating: