Busch Makes History, Ties Petty's 200 Victories with Fontana Win

Originally written for CLNS Media.

Kyle Busch made history by winning his 200th career race on Sunday afternoon in the Auto Club 400 from the Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, CA.

Busch had a dominant car throughout the race, but a pit penalty with 60 laps to go sent Busch to the back of the field for the following restart.  Busch quickly worked his way through the field, and a late caution helped Busch get back to the front.

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Busch said he wasn’t sure if he would be able to come back from the penalty so late in the race.

“I knew we had a great racecar; we were fast,” Busch said.  “I just wasn’t sure how well we were going to be able to come through the field and make our way through traffic.”

“If it went green to the end, I wasn’t sure how it was going to turn out, but sometimes you’ve got to have a little bit of luck on your side.”

Joey Logano finished second, and battled with his teammate Brad Keselowski after the final restart for the lead. 

Logano said the Penske duo didn’t have anything for the speed that Busch had all day.

“Just didn’t have nothing for [Busch],” Logano said.  “We only raced for two laps before the 18 [of Busch] blew our doors off and drove away from us.  Fastest car won the race.”

The victory was Busch’s 200th across the three national touring series (Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series, Xfinity Series and the Gander Outdoors Truck Series), which tied him with NASCAR Hall of Famer Richard Petty for the most wins in NASCAR history.

The record has been hotly debated in recent weeks amongst NASCAR fans, as all of Petty’s victories came in the Cup Series, while all but 53 of Busch’s victories have come in the two lower-tier NASCAR series.

Busch said he was proud to tie one of NASCAR’s greatest drivers, regardless of what some thing of the record.

“To win 200…whatever it means, it means a lot to me,” Busch said.  “Just wish that we can keep it going…running strong, running well and winning these races.”

Unofficial results:

1. Kyle Busch

2. Joey Logano

3. Brad Keselowski

4. Kevin Harvick

5. Ryan Blaney

6. Kurt Busch

7. Denny Hamlin

8. Martin Truex Jr.

9. Aric Almirola

10. Austin Dillon

11. Chase Elliott

12. Kyle Larson

13. Daniel Suarez

14. Ricky Stenhouse Jr.

15. William Byron

16. Chris Buescher

17. Jimmie Johnson

18. Matt DiBenedetto

19. Erik Jones

20. Paul Menard

21. Alex Bowman

22. Ryan Newman

23. Ryan Preece

24. Michael McDowell

25. David Ragan

26. Matt Tifft

27. Ty Dillon

28. Ross Chastain

29. Landon Cassill

30. Bubba Wallace

31. Corey LaJoie

32. Cody Ware

33. Daniel Hemric

34. Reed Sorenson

35. Joey Gase

36. Garrett Smithley

37. BJ McLeod

38. Clint Bowyer

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Busch Closes in on History with Phoenix Win

Originally written for CLNS Media.

Kyle Busch won the Ticket Guardian 500 from ISM Raceway on Sunday afternoon.

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Busch had one of the most dominant cars throughout the race on Sunday, and led a race-high 177 laps.  Busch chased down pole-sitter Ryan Blaney over the final green-flag run while the two drivers tried to save enough fuel to reach the end of the race.

Busch said he knew fuel might play a factor before drivers took the green flag for the final restart.

“I knew…before we went green with however many to go that we were going to be right on the verge,” Busch said.  “You’ve got to race hard first and worry about fuel afterwards.”

After giving up the lead, Blaney fell to third while he saved fuel.  Blaney said his car drove better over the final run than he expected after his team only changed two tires on the final pit stop.

“Honestly, we hung on better there on two tires than I thought we would,” Blaney said.  “When we got passed for the lead it was just full fuel-save mode.”

The victory was Busch’s 199th career victory across all three of NASCAR’s national touring series.  Busch, now on the verge of history, is just one win away from tying Richard Petty for the most wins in NASCAR history with 200.

Busch said it’s not for him to decide what the number means.

“It not for me to worry about; it’s for everybody else to talk about and discuss and argue over,” Busch said.  “To work with my guys and take them to victory lane is what it’s all about.”

Unofficial results:

1. Kyle Busch

2. Martin Truex Jr.

3. Ryan Blaney

4. Aric Almirola

5. Denny Hamlin

6. Kyle Larson

7. Kurt Busch

8. Jimmie Johnson

9. Kevin Harvick

10. Joey Logano

11. Clint Bowyer

12. Ryan Newman

13. Ricky Stenhouse Jr.

14. Chase Elliott

15. Ty Dillon

16. Chris Buescher

17. Paul Menard

18. Daniel Hemric

19. Brad Keselowski

20. Matt Tifft

21. Austin Dillon

22. Bubba Wallace

23. Daniel Suarez

24. William Byron

25. David Ragan

26. Corey LaJoie

27. Ross Chastain

28. Matt DiBenedetto

29. Erik Jones

30. Quin Houff

31. Bayley Currey

32. Cody Ware

33. Landon Cassill

34. Ryan Preece

35. Alex Bowman

36. Michael McDowell

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Keselowski Wins at Atlanta as New Rules Package Debuts

Originally written for CLNS Media.

Brad Keselowski won the Folds of Honor QuikTrip 500 from the Atlanta Motor Speedway on Sunday afternoon.

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Keselowski held off Martin Truex Jr. in the closing laps to pick up the victory.  It was the first race with NASCAR’s new rules package for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series, and Keselowski said it was special that his team was able to win the first one.

“With the first race with the new rules…to be able to win it is really special,” Keselowski said.  “I know everybody here is excited about that.”

With the victory, Keselowski passed Mark Donahue for the most wins for Team Penske.  Keselowski said it was an honor to be on top of a list with some of the most legendary drivers across all racing series.

“I think any win means a lot, but [60] is a big number,” Keselowski said.  “What a tremendous honor.”

Truex fell just short of passing Keselowski.  After the race, Truex said he was frustrated with the way Ricky Stenhouse Jr. was racing the leaders in the closing laps.

“The 17 [of Stenhouse] rode in front of us forever and ever just running the bottom,” Truex said.  “I told him I needed the bottom and these cars are just so bad in dirty air.”

“Once I got around him I drove up to Keselowski in two laps; just needed one more.”

Unofficial results:

1. Brad Keselowski

2. Martin Truex Jr.

3. Kurt Busch

4. Kevin Harvick

5. Clint Bowyer

6. Kyle Busch

7. Erik Jones

8. Aric Almirola

9. Chris Buescher

10. Daniel Suarez

11. Denny Hamlin

12. Kyle Larson

13. Ryan Newman

14. Paul Menard

15. Alex Bowman

16. David Ragan

17. William Byron

18. Ricky Stenhouse Jr.

19. Chase Elliott

20. Daniel Hemric

21. Austin Dillon

22. Ryan Blaney

23. Joey Logano

24. Jimmie Johnson

25. Ty Dillon

26. Matt DiBenedetto

27. Bubba Wallace

28. Matt Tifft

29. Corey LaJoie

30. Parker Kligerman

31. Ross Chastain

32. BJ McLoed

33. Cody Ware

34. Landon Cassill

35. Ryan Preece

36. Garrett Smithley

37. Michael McDowell

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Hamlin Wins Emotional Daytona 500

Originally written for CLNS Media.

Denny Hamlin won the Daytona 500 on Sunday afternoon from the Daytona International Speedway after three late crashes took out most of the field.

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The victory was Hamlin’s second in NASCAR’s biggest event, and he had to hold off his teammate Kyle Busch to get to victory lane.  Hamlin pulled down in front of Busch after the final restart, and he was able to stay in the lead when Busch and Joey Logano started fighting for second.

Hamlin said he will enjoy this Daytona 500 win more than his first victory in 2016.

“I’m just going to enjoy it more,” Hamlin said.  “I think I was just so dumbfounded by everything that happened in the first one…this one lets me soak it in a little more.”

It was an emotional victory for the entire Joe Gibbs Racing organization.  In the offseason, team founder Joe Gibbs’ son JD died following a brain illness.

Hamlin said the victory was more special to him because JD Gibbs discovered Hamlin and brought him to JGR.

“The whole family…they’ve done so much for me over the course of my career,” Hamlin said.  “This one’s for JD.  His legacy still lives on through Joe Gibbs Racing.”

Busch finished second to his teammate, once again failing to win NASCAR’s biggest event.

Busch said with so little cars running at the finish that he couldn’t have done anything differently.

“There wasn’t enough cars out there, really,” Busch said.  “With six cars running around at the end, I don’t know if anything would have been any different.”

“It’s awesome to see a JGR car in victory lane for Joe and JD…but it’s very bittersweet…for all the guys trying to get our Daytona 500 victory.”

Unofficial results:

1. Denny Hamlin

2. Kyle Busch

3. Erik Jones

4. Joey Logano

5. Michael McDowell

6. Ty Dillon

7. Kyle Larson

8. Ryan Preece

9. Jimmie Johnson

10. Ross Chastain

11. Alex Bowman

12. Brad Keselowski

13. Ricky Stenhouse Jr.

14. Ryan Newman

15. Parker Kligerman

16. Austin Dillon

17. Chase Elliott

18. Corey LaJoie

19. BJ McLeod

20. Clint Bowyer

21. William Byron

22. Jamie McMurray

23. Brendan Gaughan

24. Landon Cassill

25. Kurt Busch

26. Kevin Harvick

27. Tyler Reddick

28. Matt DiBenedetto

29. Paul Menard

30. David Ragan

31. Ryan Blaney

32. Aric Almirola

33. Daniel Suarez

34. Daniel Hemric

35. Martin Truex Jr.

36. Matt Tifft

37. Chris Buescher

38. Bubba Wallace

39. Cody Ware

40. Casey Mears

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Johnson Wins Season-Opening Clash at Daytona

Originally written for CLNS Media.

Jimmie Johnson won Sunday’s season-opening Advanced Auto Parts Clash from Daytona International Speedway after rain ended the race early.

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Rain threatened the race throughout the day, and caused the race to be red-flagged three times throughout the afternoon.

The final red flag followed a wreck that collected 17 of the 20 cars.  With rain imminent, Johnson got a run on Paul Menard and the two made contact.  Menard spun up the track and collected most of the field.

Johnson said he knew he had to make a move with the rain on the horizon. 

“Extremely excited to win,” Johnson said.  “It’s not a points race, but it’s a good start.”

Johnson won on a day that was dominated by Hendrick Motorsports.  Earlier in the day, William Byron and Alex Bowman swept the front row for Daytona 500 qualifying.  In the offseason, Byron was paired up with Johnson’s longtime crew chief Chad Knaus, while Johnson was paired with Kevin Meendering.

Johnson said the partnership was already off to a good start.

“This group of Ally team members…have been working so hard and we’re off to a good start,” Johnson said.

“Just really happy for a great day for Hendrick Motorsports…qualifying 3rd for the Daytona 500 then to win the Clash.  There’s been a lot of new things going on; extremely excited to win.”

Unofficial results:

1. Jimmie Johnson

2. Kurt Busch

3. Joey Logano

4. Ryan Blaney

5. Alex Bowman

6. Austin Dillon

7. Chase Elliott

8. Aric Almirola

9. Ryan Newman

10. Daniel Suarez

11. Jamie McMurray

12. Kevin Harvick

13. Paul Menard

14. Kyle Busch

15. Martin Truex Jr.

16. Clint Bowyer

17. Denny Hamlin

18. Brad Keselowski

19. Kyle Larson

20. Erik Jones

Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images

Joey Logano Wins Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Championship

Originally written for CLNS Media.

Joey Logano won the Ford Ecoboost 400 from Homestead-Miami Speedway on Sunday night to win the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series championship.

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Logano was considered the underdog for the championship heading into the race as he went up against the strong trio of Kyle Busch, Kevin Harvick and Martin Truex Jr. in the Championship Round. 

Truex and Harvick had the dominant cars all day, but Logano had the fastest car for the first 20 laps of a run.  When the four drivers lined up for a final restart with 15 laps to go, Logano was able to work his way around Truex to win the race.

Logano said he knew he had a fast car and that he wanted the victory.

“I knew I was going to pass that car,” Logano said.  “We rise to the occasion and execute under pressure like that.  Our car was a short-run car…it came down to that short run and we’re champions.”

As a teenager, Logano was called “the best thing since sliced bread” by NASCAR Hall of Famer Mark Martin.  Logano said he was happy to finally back up the legend’s praises in his 10th season at the Cup level.

“I’ve worked my whole life to get here,” Logano said.  “I’ve spent 10 seasons fighting for this.  I can’t believe it.  It’s a dream come true.”

Truex finished second on Sunday, falling one position short of repeating as Cup Series Champion.  Truex said his car just wasn’t fast enough on the short run to compete with Logano.

“We had it, we just couldn’t go over 15 laps,” Truex said.  “I was just slow for 15 laps.  Not the way we wanted to go out, but a hell of an effort.”

Truex’s team, Furniture Row Racing, is shutting down after Homestead.  Truex, who will be moving on to Joe Gibbs Racing next year, said he was sad to see his team disband after five years together.

“I’m going to miss these guys; wish we could have won it,” Truex said.  “Been the best time of my life.  These guys, they’ve been amazing.”

“They’ve made me a superstar in NASCAR, and I’m just very thankful for them all.”

Unofficial results:

1. Joey Logano

2. Martin Truex Jr.

3. Kevin Harvick

4. Kyle Busch

5. Brad Keselowski

6. Matt Kenseth

7. Chase Elliott

8. Clint Bowyer

9. Aric Almirola

10. Kurt Busch

11. Austin Dillon

12. Denny Hamlin

13. Kyle Larson

14. Jimmie Johnson

15. Ryan Newman

16. Ricky Stenhouse Jr.

17. Ryan Blaney

18. Jamie McMurray

19. AJ Allmendinger

20. David Ragan

21. Darrell Wallace Jr.

22. Ty Dillon

23. Chris Buescher

24. William Byron

25. Paul Menard

26. Matt DiBenedetto

27. Erik Jones

28. Michael McDowell

29. Alex Bowman

30. Daniel Suarez

31. Landon Cassill

32. JJ Yeley

33. Ross Chastain

34. Corey LaJoie

35. BJ McLeod

36. Kyle Weatherman

37. Timmy Hill

38. Tanner Berryhill

39. Regan Smith

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Harvick Dominates in Texas

Originally written for CLNS Media.

Kevin Harvick won the AAA Texas 500 from Texas Motor Speedway on Sunday afternoon.

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Harvick was dominant all day, and won both stages while leading 177 laps on his way to victory lane.  After chasing down Ryan Blaney late in the race, Harvick held him off on the final restart for overtime to continue his dominance in Texas. 

Harvick said his team has continued to perform well at TMS.

“This place has been really good to me; glad I got to win,” Harvick said.  “For whatever reason, since they repaved this place, this place has kind of fit everything that we do.”

Blaney beat Harvick on a late restart to take the lead, but Harvick was able to get back to the lead before the final caution. 

After watching the way Blaney got around Turns 1 and 2, Harvick said he used the younger driver’s handling against him.

“If [Blaney] wasn’t able to arc it into the corner, he couldn’t finish the corner,” Harvick said.  “He had a hard time staying in the throttle.  I just knew I needed to get down into the corner with him.”

Blaney said he tried to beat Harvick down into the corner, but that his car was so much better at the end.

“That was really the only shot we had to beat him,” Blaney said.  “We got by him one restart, and I just couldn’t hold him off; he was just really good.”

“Just needed to be mistake-free and then some, and we just couldn’t be that.”

Unofficial results:

1. Kevin Harvick

2. Ryan Blaney

3. Joey Logano

4. Erik Jones

5. Kyle Larson

6. Chase Elliott

7. Kurt Busch

8. Aric Almirola

9. Martin Truex Jr.

10. Austin Dillon

11. Ricky Stenhouse Jr.

12. Brad Keselowski

13. Paul Menard

14. Alex Bowman

15. Jimmie Johnson

16. William Byron

17. Kyle Busch

18. Ryan Newman

19. Jamie McMurray

20. AJ Allmendinger

21. Trevor Bayne

22. Ty Dillon

23. Chris Buescher

24. David Ragan

25. Darrell Wallace Jr.

26. Clint Bowyer

27. Regan Smith

28. Daniel Suarez

29. Michael McDowell

30. Denny Hamlin

31. Parker Kligerman

32. Ross Chastain

33. Reed Sorenson

34. Kyle Weatherman

35. Landon Cassill

36. JJ Yeley

37. Joey Gase

38. Matt DiBenedetto

39. David Starr

40. Corey LaJoie

Chris Graythen/Getty Images