Kyle Busch Wins at Homestead, Crowned Sprint Cup Champion

Originally written for CLNS Radio.

Kyle Busch won the Sprint Cup Championship following his victory in Sunday’s Ford Ecoboost 400 from Homestead-Miami Speedway.

Busch had to fight back from adversity all season.  After being injured in the first Xfinity Series race of the season, Busch missed the first 11 Sprint Cup Series races.  Upon his return, he was able to win four races over the summer to race his way back into the top 30 in points and fight his way into a Chase spot.

Photo courtesy Chris Graythen/Getty Images

“The rehab and getting back…and getting focused was the hardest part and the hardest thing I’ve ever gone through,” Busch said in victory lane.  “I just can’t believe it with everything that’s happened this year.”

A caution with 11 laps to go set up an exciting finish, and Busch was able to get around Brad Keselowski on the final restart to take the lead.  Busch was able to run away from defending champion Kevin Harvick to win the race and his first Sprint Cup Championship.  Harvick said the handling on his car went away over the final run.

“We were just struggling all night to be honest with you,” Harvick said.  “After last year, I felt like we had everything going our way.  Congratulations to the 18 team and everything they did.”

The race also saw Jeff Gordon’s legendary career come to a close.  Gordon finished his career with 93 Sprint Cup Series victories and a record 797-consecutive starts, starting every race since his Sprint Cup debut on November 15, 1992.  

“Who would have ever thought coming from Indiana as a Sprint Car driver…come south to North Carolina to race for Bill Davis and then get the opportunity to work with the greatest owner in the Cup Series that there’s ever been,” Gordon said.  “It’s been a most amazing experience.  It’s a happy, good day.”

Unofficial results:

1. Kyle Busch

2. Kevin Harvick

3. Brad Keselowski

4. Joey Logano

5. Kyle Larson

6. Jeff Gordon

7. Matt Kenseth

8. Kurt Busch

9. Jimmie Johnson

10. Denny Hamlin

11. Carl Edwards

12. Martin Truex Jr.

13. Jamie McMurray

14. Austin Dillon

15. Greg Biffle

16. Ryan Newman

17. Ryan Blaney

18. Trevor Bayne

19. Kasey Kahne

20. AJ Allmendinger

21. Paul Menard

22. Ricky Stenhouse Jr.

23. Ty Dillon

24. Danica Patrick

25. Sam Hornish Jr.

26. Alex Bowman

27. David Ragan

28. Cole Whitt

29. Tony Stewart

30. Michael Annett

31. Brett Moffitt

32. David Gilliland

33. Michael McDowell

34. J.J. Yeley

35. Landon Cassill

36. Justin Allgaier

37. Matt DiBenedetto

38. Ryan Preece

39. Josh Wise

40. Dale Earnhardt Jr.

41. Aric Almirola

42. Casey Mears

43. Clint Bowyer

Photo courtesy Chris Graythen/Getty Images