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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
It has only taken seven races for Kyle Busch Motorsports to break through in the NASCAR Nationwide Series, but it has not been an easy road to get there.

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
“To get Kyle Busch Motorsports it's first win is so awesome,” Kurt Busch said. “When you're driving for a guy named Busch, you've got to be on it.

"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.

Read more here: http://www.thatsracin.com/2012/04/27/85800/kurt-busch-gives-brother-a-win.html#storylink=cpy


Race results:

Credit: Drew Hallowell/Getty Images for NASCAR
  1. Kurt Busch
  2. Denny Hamlin
  3. Kevin Harvick
  4. Ricky Stenhouse Jr.
  5. Sam Hornish Jr.
  6. Elliott Sadler
  7. Ryan Blaney
  8. Michael Annett
  9. Austin Dillon
  10. Kasey Kahne
  11. Steven Wallace
  12. James Buescher
  13. Joe Nemechek
  14. Brian Scott
  15. Justin Allgaier
  16. Brad Keselowski
  17. Mike Bliss
  18. Joey Logano
  19. Cole Whitt
  20. Johanna Long
  21. Danica Patrick
  22. Travis Pastrana
  23. Casey Roderick
  24. Mike Wallace
  25. Tayler Malsam 
  26. Timmy Hill
  27. Kevin Lepage
  28. T.J. Bell
  29. Tanner Berryhill
  30. Jason Bowles
  31. Eric McClure
  32. Matt Frahm
  33. Jeremy Clements
  34. Robert Richardson Jr.
  35. Erik Darnell 
  36. Morgan Shepherd
  37. J.J. Yeley
  38. Josh Wise
  39. Blake Koch
  40. Scott Speed
  41. Mike Harmon
  42. Chase Miller
  43. Jeff Green
Kurt Busch wins at Richmond to claim first Nationwide victory for Kyle Busch Motorsports Kurt Busch wins at Richmond to claim first Nationwide victory for Kyle Busch Motorsports Reviewed by Unknown on Friday, April 27, 2012 Rating: 5