Visual look at NASCAR on dirt, Tony Stewart-owned track
A third-place result last weekend at New Hampshire puts “Happy” back in the No. 1 spot in the rankings. While the No. 4 hasn’t reached Victory Lane since March, Harvick has finished 17 of 19 races in the top 10. That incredible feat is one not to be taken lightly — and we imagine one of those top 10s will turn into a win sooner rather than later.
The No. 22’s strength in recent races moves Logano up one spot this week. With the exception of a 22nd-place hiccup at Daytona, Logano has posted all top-fives since Pocono in June. While he wasn’t holding a lobster in Victory Lane at New Hampshire, we don’t doubt he’ll find his way to the checkered again this season.
-2
Hendrick Motorsports
While Johnson’s four wins this season surpass the other drivers, his performance at New Hampshire was less than spectacular. The No. 48 struggled at the Magic Mile, managing a sub-par 22nd-place result after starting seventh. Nonetheless, “Six-Time’s” luck could turn around at Indianapolis, a place where he’s recorded four victories — second all-time to Jeff Gordon.
2
Hendrick Motorsports
Junior has been impressive in 2015, especially on superspeedway tracks where he nabbed his two wins. He’s said before that Indy isn’t his favorite, but judging by his seventh-place result at Sonoma — another one of his challenging tracks — he could surprise at this weekend’s Brickyard 400. Indianapolis’ new rules package should favor superspeedway-style drivers, which bodes well for the No. 88 team.
Team Penske
A frustrated Keselowski left the state of New Hampshire on Sunday with a just-barely-missed-it runner-up. The good news for Kes is that he’s had two near misses at tracks that he was a frontrunner, which could fire him up for the next events. While Indy may not be his favorite track — he averages a 14th-place finish — Kes looks poised for victory soon.
2
Joe Gibbs Racing
“Rowdy” has been the comeback story of the season, battling back from serious injuries at Daytona to take the checkered at Sonoma. But he didn’t stop there, having won three of the past four races. If Busch continues along this path of success, he’ll likely make the top 30 in points — and will be a heavy contender for the championship.
-4
While one Busch brother rises, the other falls. The No. 41 driver has done well in recent weeks and is currently riding a six-race streak of top 10s, which includes his second 2015 win (Michigan). But Indy may not be the place for the elder Busch to catch up to younger brother Kyle in wins: He owns an average finish of 20.0 at the Brickyard.
Truex Jr. was the talk around the garage at the beginning of the season, but the No. 78 driver seems to have faded following his win in June at Pocono. After wrecking at Sonoma and Daytona, Truex’s average finish of 7.6 to open the season is a far cry from the 27.3 average finish he’s recorded in the past four races. Is this just a bump in the road for the No. 78 team — or a slippery slope from here?
Like his fellow Joe Gibbs Racing drivers, Kenseth has enjoyed success the past couple weeks, posting fifth- and sixth-place finishes at Kentucky and New Hampshire, respectively. And the No. 20 team likely has a good feeling heading into Indy, as Kenseth has finished three of the past four races there in the top five.
If history repeats itself, the possibility of Gordon punching his Chase ticket this weekend at Indianapolis is very real. Not only does Gordon consider it a hometown track, but he’s also the reigning race champion and all-time winner at the Brickyard with five victories. Wouldn’t be a bad way for the No. 24 driver to end his final Brickyard 400 race.
-1
Joe Gibbs Racing
Hamlin recorded two strong third-place results at Daytona and Kentucky, a track where Joe Gibbs Racing especially excelled with the new rules package debut. But a sub-par 14th-place result at Loudon put Hamlin last among his JGR teammates. The No. 11 driver better watch his back at Indy, as Austin Dillon has yet to take revenge after the pair’s on-track collision in the XFINITY race at New Hampshire.
After a promising season-opening run that put him high in the points standings, McMurray has recorded four consecutive finishes outside the top 10. His 26th-place finish at New Hampshire caused him to drop two places in the point standings to ninth. Indy could be the place where McMurray picks up his first win of 2105 — after all, he took the checkered there in 2010.
The past two races have been kind to Edwards, as he recorded two straight top 10s at Kentucky and New Hampshire. This came as a pleasant break for the JGR driver, as his average finish since his Chase-clinching win in May at Charlotte was 25.4. The kicker here is Edwards seemed to excel in Kentucky’s lower downforce package, which greatly differs from Indy’s higher drag rules package.
-1
It seems the No. 5 team has been on a downward spiral the past few weeks, recording three consecutive finishes of 19th or worse. But the grass could be greener at Indianapolis for Kahne and crew chief Keith Rodden; Kahne has finished more than half of his races at Indy in the top 10, earning third- and sixth-place results his last two runs.
The Richard Childress Racing driver has been fairly quiet in recent races, earning 20th- and 11th-place results at Kentucky and Loudon, respectively. A win could turn around Newman’s season for the better — and Indianapolis could potentially be the place do that, as he won from the pole there in 2013.
Almirola has taken Newman’s place this season as the poster child for consistency without wins, sitting 15th in the standings with no wins and one top 10. Nonetheless, Almirola could be in a precarious position should Kyle Busch reach the top 30 in points and jump into the Chase.
-2
Like Almirola, Menard sits in a dangerous spot in the Chase Grid should Kyle Busch earn a spot in the playoffs. He’ll need to earn consistent finishes the rest of the season — or win to get in. And if any track bodes well for Menard and the No. 27 team, it’s Indianapolis — the spot of his first and only Sprint Cup Series win (2011).
-1
Stewart-Haas Racing
Bowyer’s three-race steak of top 10s was interrupted by 19th- and 34th-place results at Kentucky and Loudon, respectively. Indy’s not typically the best track for the No. 15 team — average finish of 17.0 at the Brickyard since joining Michael Waltrip Racing in 2012. The silver lining for Bowyer is that Indy’s new rules package caters to superspeedway drivers — a style of racing that Bowyer can do quite well.
The “Biff” has experienced several sub-par weeks, finishing his last five races outside the top 15. Sitting 18th in the standings, Biffle is out of the playoffs as of now. He’s never won at Indy, but has finished exactly half of his races in the top 10. But top 10s may not be enough to make the Chase in the end.
1
Richard Childress Racing
Dillon makes a reappearance in Power Rankings this week. As of two weeks ago, the No. 3 driver had recorded a lone top 10. But on the heels of top 10s at Daytona and Loudon, Dillon’s season seems to be looking up. He’s still outside the Chase, but he has the potential to nab a spot with a win in the next several weeks should his improvement continue.
A statistical look ahead to the 20th race of the Sprint Cup season
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (July 20, 2015) — Below is a look at some of the top statistical performers at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Speedway, Indiana going into Crown Royal presents the Jeff Kyle 400 at the Brickyard on July 26 (3:30 p.m. ET on NBCSN).
INDIANAPOLIS-SPECIFIC STATISTICS
Greg Biffle (No. 16 Lilly/American Diabetes Association Ford)
· Three top fives, six top 10s
· Average finish of 13.100, seventh-best
· Average Running Position of 12.649, eighth-best
· Driver Rating of 92.3, ninth-best
· 60 Fastest Laps Run, seventh-best
· Average Green Flag Speed of 169.968, eighth-fastest
· 1062 Laps in the Top 15 (66.4), eighth-most
· 217 Quality Passes, 10th-most
Clint Bowyer (No. 15 5-Hour Energy Toyota)
· Two top fives, two top 10s
· Average finish of 13.556, ninth-best
· Average Running Position of 14.450, 10th-best
· Driver Rating of 85.0, 11th-best
· 12 Fastest Laps Run, fifth-best
· Average Green Flag Speed of 169.683, 13th-fastest
· 845 Laps in the Top 15 (58.7), 11th-most
· 194 Quality Passes, 11th-most
Kyle Busch (No. 18 SKITTLES Toyota)
· Three top fives, eight top 10s
· Average finish of 10.600, fourth-best
· Average Running Position of 12.311, seventh-best
· Driver Rating of 98.5, sixth-best
· 64 Fastest Laps Run, 10th-best
· Average Green Flag Speed of 170.317, sixth-fastest
· 1178 Laps in the Top 15 (73.6), sixth-most
· 297 Quality Passes, fourth-most
Carl Edwards (No. 19 STANLEY Toyota)
· One top five, three top 10s
· Average finish of 13.400, eighth-best
· Average Running Position of 16.619, 13th-best
· Driver Rating of 83.9, 13th-best
· 44 Fastest Laps Run, sixth-best
· Average Green Flag Speed of 169.725, 12th-fastest
· 819 Laps in the Top 15 (51.2), 12th-most
· 263 Quality Passes, sixth-most
Jeff Gordon (No. 24 3M Chevrolet)
· Five wins, 12 top fives, 17 top 10s; three poles
· Average finish of 7.900, third-best
· Average Running Position of 10.869, second-best
· Driver Rating of 105.6, second-best
· 157 Fastest Laps Run, 11th-best
· Average Green Flag Speed of 170.820, series-fastest
· 1252 Laps in the Top 15 (78.3), second-most
· 315 Quality Passes, second-most
Denny Hamlin (No. 11 FedEx Express Toyota)
· Two top fives, four top 10s; one pole
· Average finish of 15.333, 13th-best
· Average Running Position of 15.540, 11th-best
· Driver Rating of 90.6, 10th-best
· 54 Fastest Laps Run, series-best
· Average Green Flag Speed of 170.251, seventh-fastest
· 851 Laps in the Top 15 (59.1), 10th-most
· 227 Quality Passes, ninth-most
Kevin Harvick (No. 4 Jimmy John’s/ Budweiser Chevrolet)
· One win, four top fives, eight top 10s; two poles
· Average finish of 12.500, fifth-best
· Average Running Position of 13.532, ninth-best
· Driver Rating of 92.7, eighth-best
· 34 Fastest Laps Run, ninth-best
· Average Green Flag Speed of 169.740, 11th-fastest
· 1057 Laps in the Top 15 (66.1), ninth-most
· 254 Quality Passes, seventh-most
Jimmie Johnson (No. 48 KOBALT TOOLS Chevrolet)
· Four wins, five top fives, six top 10s; one pole
· Average finish of 13.800, 10th-best
· Average Running Position of 10.911, third-best
· Driver Rating of 108.1, series-best
· 173 Fastest Laps Run, fourth-best
· Average Green Flag Speed of 170.814, second-fastest
· 1192 Laps in the Top 15 (74.5), fifth-most
· 248 Quality Passes, eighth-most
Kasey Kahne (No. 5 Farmers Chevrolet)
· Three top fives, six top 10s
· Average finish of 14.400, 12th-best
· Average Running Position of 11.911, fifth-best
· Driver Rating of 100.1, fifth-best
· 102 Fastest Laps Run, second-best
· Average Green Flag Speed of 170.415, fifth-fastest
· 1237 Laps in the Top 15 (77.3), fourth-most
· 299 Quality Passes, third-most
Matt Kenseth (No. 20 Dollar General Toyota)
· Seven top fives, nine top 10s
· Average finish of 12.600, sixth-best
· Average Running Position of 12.194, sixth-best
· Driver Rating of 96.6, seventh-best
· 18 Fastest Laps Run, eighth-best
· Average Green Flag Speed of 169.948, ninth-fastest
· 1238 Laps in the Top 15 (77.4), third-most
· 282 Quality Passes, fifth-most
Brad Keselowski (No. 2 Miller Lite Ford)
· Two top 10s
· Average finish of 14.000, 11th-best
· Average Running Position of 16.489, 12th-best
· Driver Rating of 84.2, 12th-best
· 30 Fastest Laps Run, third-best
· Average Green Flag Speed of 169.882, 10th-fastest
· 371 Laps in the Top 15 (46.4), 13th-most
· 104 Quality Passes, 12th-most
Kyle Larson (No. 42 Target Chevrolet)
· One top 10
· Average finish of 7.000, series-best
· Average Running Position of 9.212, series-best
· Driver Rating of 104.4, third-best
· 2 Fastest Laps Run, 13th-best
· Average Green Flag Speed of 170.538, third-fastest
· 148 Laps in the Top 15 (92.5), series-most
· 36 Quality Passes, 13th-most
Tony Stewart (No. 14 Mobil 1 / Bass Pro Shops Chevrolet)
· Two wins, seven top fives, 11 top 10s; one pole
· Average finish of 7.800, second-best
· Average Running Position of 11.608, fourth-best
· Driver Rating of 101.9, fourth-best
· 98 Fastest Laps Run, 12th-best
· Average Green Flag Speed of 170.478, fourth-fastest
· 1095 Laps in the Top 15 (68.4), seventh-most
· 319 Quality Passes, series-most
The NASCAR Sprint Cup Series 2015 Top 16 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway
|
|
Driver |
Races |
Poles |
Wins |
Top Fives |
Top 10s |
DNFs |
Average Finish |
Driver Rating |
|
|
1 |
14 |
2 |
1 |
4 |
8 |
0 |
10.7 |
92.7 |
||
|
2 |
6 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
3 |
0 |
15.3 |
83.8 |
||
|
3 |
15 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
5 |
3 |
18.6 |
82.5 |
||
|
4 |
13 |
1 |
4 |
5 |
6 |
3 |
15.5 |
108.1 |
||
|
5 |
10 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
20.8 |
73.2 |
||
|
6 |
5 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
0 |
14 |
84.2 |
||
|
7 |
15 |
0 |
0 |
7 |
9 |
2 |
14.3 |
96.6 |
||
|
8 |
14 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
4 |
2 |
20 |
73.9 |
||
|
9 |
12 |
0 |
1 |
3 |
5 |
0 |
14.6 |
78.8 |
||
|
10 |
21 |
3 |
5 |
12 |
17 |
1 |
8.4 |
105.6 |
||
|
11 |
9 |
1 |
0 |
2 |
4 |
0 |
15.3 |
90.6 |
||
|
12 |
11 |
0 |
0 |
3 |
6 |
2 |
13.5 |
100.1 |
||
|
13 |
14 |
1 |
1 |
2 |
3 |
2 |
17.2 |
79.6 |
||
|
14 |
8 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
20.6 |
65.3 |
||
|
15 |
3 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
19 |
70.8 |
||
|
16 |
9 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
2 |
0 |
13.6 |
85.0 |
* – Based on last 10 races at Indianapolis Motor Speedway (2005 – 2014).
|
Indianapolis Motor Speedway Data Season Race #: 20 of 36 (07-26-15) Track Size: 2.5-miles Banking/Turns 1 & 2: 9 degrees Banking/Turns 3 & 4: 9 degrees Banking/Straights: 0 degrees Frontstretch Length: 3,330 feet Backstretch Length: 3,300 feet Race Length: 160 laps / 400 miles Top 10 Driver Ratings at Indianapolis Jimmie Johnson…………………… 108.1 Jeff Gordon………………………… 105.6 Kyle Larson…………………………. 104.4 Tony Stewart……………………….. 101.9 Kasey Kahne……………………….. 100.1 Kyle Busch…………………………… 98.5 Matt Kenseth………………………… 96.6 Kevin Harvick………………………… 92.7 Greg Biffle……………………………. 92.3 Denny Hamlin……………………….. 90.6 Note: Driver Ratings compiled from 2005-2014 races (10 total) among active drivers at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Qualifying/Race Data 2014 pole winner: Kevin Harvick, Chevrolet 188.470 mph, 47.753 secs. 07-25-14 2014 race winner: Jeff Gordon, Chevrolet 150.297 mph, (02:39:41), 07-27-14 Track qualifying record: Kevin Harvick, Chevrolet 188.889 mph, 47.647 secs. 07-25-14 (Set in Round 1 of 3) Track race record: Bobby Labonte, Pontiac 155.912 mph, (02:33:56), 08-05-00
|
At Indianapolis Motor Speedway:
History
· Indianapolis Motor Speedway has existed since 1909, and is the original "Speedway," the first racing facility to incorporate the word into its name.
· With a permanent seating capacity for more than 250,000-plus people and infield seating that raises capacity to an approximate 400,000, it is the largest and highest-capacity sporting facility in history.
· The first NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway was August 6, 1994 – won by Jeff Gordon.
Starts
· There have been 21 NASCAR Sprint Cup races at Indianapolis Motor Speedway; one per year from 1994 through 2012.
· 138 drivers have competed in at least one NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway; 107 in more than one.
· Two drivers have competed in all 21 races at Indianapolis: Jeff Gordon and Bobby Labonte.
Poles
· Rick Mast won the inaugural Coors Light pole at Indianapolis in 1994 with a speed of 172.414 mph.
· 17 drivers have Coors Light poles at Indianapolis, led by Jeff Gordon with three.
· Two drivers have won consecutive Coors Light poles at Indianapolis: Jeff Gordon (1995-96) and Ernie Irvan (1997-98).
· Youngest Indianapolis Coors Light pole winner: Reed Sorenson (07/29/2007 – 21 years, 5 months, 24 days).
· Oldest Indianapolis Coors Light pole winner: Mark Martin (07/26/2009 – 50 years, 6 months, 17 days).
· Reed Sorenson (07/29/07) is the only active driver to post his first career NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Coors Light pole at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
Wins
· 12 different drivers have won at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, led by Jeff Gordon with five; followed by his Hendrick Motorsports teammate, Jimmie Johnson, with four.
· Jimmie Johnson is the only driver to have posted consecutive wins at Indianapolis Motor Speedway (2008 and 2009).
· Youngest Indianapolis winner: Jeff Gordon (08/06/1994 – 23 years, 0 months, 2 days).
· Oldest Indianapolis winner: Bill Elliott (08/04/2002 – 46 years, 9 months, 27 days).
· Hendrick Motorsports leads the series in wins at Indianapolis in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series with nine; followed by Richard Childress Racing and Joe Gibbs Racing with three each.
· Four different manufacturers have won at Indianapolis; led by Chevrolet with 16 victories; followed by Ford (three), Dodge and Pontiac each have one.
· Chevrolet has won the last 12 consecutive NSCS races at Indianapolis – the longest active win streak by a manufacturer in the NSCS at a single track.
· Only three of the 21 (14.2%) NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races at Indianapolis have been won from the Coors Light pole: Kevin Harvick (2003), Jimmie Johnson (2008) and Ryan Newman (2013).
· The pole and the third-place starting positions are the most proficient starting positions in the field, each producing three winners – more than any other starting positions at Indianapolis.
· Five of the 21 (23.8%) NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races at Indianapolis have been won from the front row: three from the pole and two from second-place.
· 13 of the 21 (65%) NASCAR Sprint Cup races at Indianapolis have been won from a top-10 starting position.
· Three of the 21 (14.2%) NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races at Indianapolis have been won from a starting position outside the top 20.
· The deepest in the field that a race winner has started at Indianapolis is 27th, by Jeff Gordon in 2001.
· Six of the seven active NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race winners at Indianapolis Motor Speedway participated in at least one or more races before visiting Victory Lane. Jeff Gordon won the Brickyard 400 in his first start at Indianapolis.
· Ryan Newman competed at Indianapolis Motor Speedway 12 times before winning in 2013; the longest span of any the seven active NASCAR Sprint Cup Series winners.
· Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Matt Kenseth lead the series among active drivers with the most NASCAR Sprint Cup Series starts at Indianapolis without visiting Victory Lane at 15 each.
· Paul Menard (07/31/11) is the only NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver to have posted his first career NSCS win at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
Additional Finishing Positions
· NASCAR Hall of Famer Rusty Wallace leads the series in runner-up finishes at Indianapolis with three; followed by Kyle Busch, Bobby Labonte, Mark Martin and Matt Kenseth with two each.
· Jeff Gordon leads the series in top-five finishes at Indianapolis with 12; followed by Tony Stewart and Matt Kenseth with seven each.
· Jeff Gordon leads the series in top-10 finishes at Indianapolis with 17; followed by Tony Stewart and Mark Martin with 11 each.
· Ryan Newman leads the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series in average starting position at Indianapolis with a 7.143.
· Jeff Gordon leads NASCAR Sprint Cup Series in average finishing position at Indianapolis with a 8.381.
Track Specific Stats
· Since the advent of electronic scoring the closest margin of victory (MOV) in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series at Indianapolis Motor Speedway was the August 3, 1997 race won by Ricky Rudd over Bobby Labonte with a MOV of 0.183 second.
· Four out of the last five NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races have had a MOV larger than one second.
· Only one of the 21 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races have resulted with a green-white-checkered finish at Indianapolis Motor Speedway (Scheduled No. of Laps/Actual No. of Laps): 2004 (160/161).
· None of the 21 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races at Indianapolis Motor Speedway have been shortened due to weather conditions.
· Qualifying has not been cancelled due to weather conditions in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
· Jeff Gordon leads all active drivers in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series in laps led at Indianapolis with 528 laps led in 21 starts.
Female Competitor Stats
· Danica Patrick became the first female driver to compete in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in 2013.
· Shawna Robinson (08/05/01) is the only other female driver to attempt to compete in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series at Indianapolis, but she failed to qualify for the event.
|
Date |
Driver |
Starting Position |
Finishing Position |
Driver Rating |
|
7/27/2014 |
14 |
42 |
67.0 |
|
|
7/28/2013 |
33 |
30 |
48.5 |
|
|
Averages: |
23.5 |
36.0 |
57.75 |
|
NASCAR in Indiana
· There have been 23 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races among three tracks in Indiana.
|
Track Name |
City |
NSCS |
|
Indianapolis Motor Speedway |
Speedway |
21 |
|
Funks Speedway |
Winchester |
1 |
|
Playland Park Speedway |
South Bend |
1 |
· 79 drivers in NASCAR national series history have their home state recorded as Indiana. Eight of the 79 have posted a win in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series.
|
Driver |
NSCS |
NXS |
NCWTS |
|
48 |
11 |
2 |
|
|
17 |
7 |
1 |
|
|
Darel Dieringer |
7 |
0 |
0 |
|
Charlie Glotzbach |
4 |
0 |
0 |
|
John Andretti |
2 |
0 |
0 |
|
Earl Balmer |
1 |
0 |
0 |
|
Larry Frank |
1 |
0 |
0 |
|
Dick Passwater |
1 |
0 |
0 |
|
0 |
0 |
4 |
|
|
Kenny Irwin Jr |
0 |
0 |
2 |
The NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Wins List at Indianapolis Motor Speedway
|
Date |
Driver |
Starting Position |
Finishing Position |
Laps Led |
Car Owner |
|
8/6/1994 |
3 |
1 |
93 |
Rick Hendrick |
|
|
8/5/1995 |
Dale Earnhardt |
13 |
1 |
28 |
Richard Childress |
|
8/3/1996 |
Dale Jarrett |
24 |
1 |
11 |
Robert Yates |
|
8/3/1997 |
Ricky Rudd |
7 |
1 |
15 |
Ricky Rudd |
|
8/1/1998 |
3 |
1 |
97 |
Rick Hendrick |
|
|
8/7/1999 |
Dale Jarrett |
4 |
1 |
117 |
Robert Yates |
|
8/5/2000 |
3 |
1 |
21 |
Joe Gibbs |
|
|
8/5/2001 |
27 |
1 |
29 |
Rick Hendrick |
|
|
8/4/2002 |
2 |
1 |
93 |
Ray Evernham |
|
|
8/3/2003 |
1 |
1 |
33 |
Richard Childress |
|
|
8/8/2004 |
11 |
1 |
124 |
Rick Hendrick |
|
|
8/7/2005 |
22 |
1 |
44 |
Joe Gibbs |
|
|
8/6/2006 |
5 |
1 |
33 |
Rick Hendrick |
|
|
7/29/2007 |
14 |
1 |
65 |
Joe Gibbs |
|
|
7/27/2008 |
1 |
1 |
71 |
||
|
7/26/2009 |
16 |
1 |
24 |
||
|
7/25/2010 |
4 |
1 |
16 |
Teresa Earnhardt |
|
|
7/31/2011 |
15 |
1 |
21 |
Richard Childress |
|
|
7/29/2012 |
6 |
1 |
99 |
||
|
7/28/2013 |
1 |
1 |
45 |
||
|
7/27/2014 |
2 |
1 |
40 |
Rick Hendrick |
Milestones – Indianapolis
|
DRIVER |
HAS |
NEEDS |
MILESTONE |
DESCRIPTION |
|
|
573 |
1 |
574th NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Career Start |
Stewart will attempt to tie NASCAR Hall of Famer David Pearson (574) for 25th on the all-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Series career starts list. |
||
|
174 |
1 |
175th NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Career Start |
McDowell is 145th on the all-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Series career starts list; two starts behind Walter Ballard in 144th (176) |
||
|
74 |
2 |
76th NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Win |
Jimmie Johnson is eighth on the all-time NSCS wins list, two wins behind NASCAR Hall of Famer Dale Earnhardt in seventh (76 wins). |
||
|
48 |
2 |
50th NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Win |
Stewart is 13th on the all-time NSCS wins list, two wins behind NASCAR Hall of Famer Ned Jarrett in 12th (50 wins). |
||
|
24 |
1 |
25th NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Win |
Edwards is 31st on the all-time NSCS wins list, one win behind Dale Earnhardt Jr., Joe Weatherly and Denny Hamlin tied for 28th (25 wins). |
||
|
24,828 |
172 |
25,000 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Laps Led |
Gordon can become the sixth driver in NSCS history to lead 25,000 laps; joining Richard Petty, Dale Earnhardt, Cale Yarborough, David Pearson and Bobby Allison. |
||
|
9,598 |
402 |
10,000 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Laps Led |
Kenseth can become the 16th driver in series history to lead 10,000 or more laps. |
||
|
7,847 |
153 |
8,000 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Laps Led |
Kevin Harvick can become the 24th driver in series history to lead 8,000 or more laps. |
||
|
#43 car |
199 |
1 |
200 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Wins |
The No. 43 car is second on the all-time NSCS wins list, five wins behind the No. 11 car in first (204). The last win for the No. 43 car came at Daytona last season. |
Complete news and notes on all 43 cars in the 5-hour ENERGY 301
RELATED: Full race results | Series standings | Chase Grid
Breaking down how the full 43-car field fared at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.
1. Kyle Busch, No. 18 Toyota, Joe Gibbs Racing. "Ain’t no give up in this (No.) 18 team," Busch radioed his crew after winning his third Cup race of the season. He put himself in position to win after making a green-flag pit stop then racing his way back onto the lead lap. | MORE: Busch conquers Loudon
2. Brad Keselowski, No. 2 Ford, Team Penske. Keselowski led a race-high 100 laps, but was flustered by the caution flags: "I’m not really happy with these yellows when I’m leading like that. Not cool." | RELATED: Kes admits to being grouchy
3. Kevin Harvick, No. 4 Chevrolet, Stewart-Haas Racing. Harvick led 59 laps, but had a bit of a pit miscue on the final stop that made regaining track position difficult.
4. Joey Logano, No. 22 Ford, Team Penske. The outside polesitter was consistent all day en route to his fourth top-five at his home track.
5. Dale Earnhardt Jr., No. 88 Chevrolet, Hendrick Motorsports. Despite a power issue, Earnhardt recorded his 10th top-five of the season and improves to rank third in the points. | WATCH: Dale Jr. says he ‘had to drive real hard all day long’
6. Matt Kenseth, No. 20 Toyota, Joe Gibbs Racing. Kenseth overcame an early pit road speeding penalty to record his 16th top 10 at Loudon.
7. Carl Edwards, No. 19 Toyota, Joe Gibbs Racing. Edwards earned his first pole position at Loudon and benefited from having the best pit stall at the 1.058-mile track.
8. Austin Dillon, No. 3 Chevrolet, Richard Childress Racing. Dillon posted his best career result at Loudon after working with his team on the No. 3 Chevy’s handling. | RELATED: Dillon’s top 10 will boost team
9. Jeff Gordon, No. 24 Chevrolet, Hendrick Motorsports. Gordon and company rebounded from a collision during practice and a potential battery issue to improve his already track-best top-10 record to 23. | RELATED: Gordon, Bowyer make contact in garage
10. Kurt Busch, No. 41 Chevrolet, Stewart-Haas Racing. Busch’s car showed to be better on short runs, but he held on to post his best Loudon finish since July 2011.
11. Ryan Newman, No. 31 Chevrolet, Richard Childress Racing. Newman brushed the wall on Lap 12, but continued to climb through the field after starting 26th.
12. Martin Truex Jr., No. 78 Chevrolet, Furniture Row Racing. Truex was caught a lap down because he pitted just prior to the Lap 251 caution flag.
13. AJ Allmendinger, No. 47 Chevrolet, JTG Daugherty Racing. Allmendinger’s team had oxygen ready as their under-the-weather driver managed his fifth top-15 at Loudon. | MORE: Allmendinger treated for heat-related issues
14. Denny Hamlin, No. 11 Toyota, Joe Gibbs Racing. Hamlin dropped back after lining up fifth on Sunday as his team worked to recover forward bite. | MORE: Hamlin, Dillon have differing views of Saturday’s run-in
15. Aric Almirola, No. 43 Ford, Richard Petty Motorsports. Almirola sustained damage to the right-front fender after getting loose and hitting the wall prior to the Lap 251 caution flag. | RELATED: Almirola’s back in provisional Chase Grid
16. Casey Mears, No. 13 Chevrolet, Germain Racing. Mears employed pit strategy to earn his best Loudon finish since September 2009.
17. Ricky Stenhouse Jr., No. 17, Roush Fenway Racing. Stenhouse climbed from his 32nd starting spot to run ninth with 50 laps to go before a tire issue jeopardized his position.
18. David Ragan, No. 55 Toyota, Michael Waltrip Racing. Ragan picked up three spots to restart 14th with 50 laps to go after a solid four-tire stop by his team.
19. Kasey Kahne, No. 5 Chevrolet, Hendrick Motorsports. Kahne spent the first half of the race running in the top 10 before a tight-handling condition emerged.
20. Tony Stewart, No. 14 Chevrolet, Stewart-Haas Racing. Stewart earned the free pass after the third caution flag waved, but the three-time Loudon winner struggled to stay on the lead lap.
21. David Gilliland, No. 38 Ford, Front Row Motorsports. Gilliland marched through the field after starting 37th.
22. Jimmie Johnson, No. 48 Chevrolet, Hendrick Motorsports. A pit road speeding penalty on Lap 179 mired Johnson in traffic.
23. Ryan Blaney, No. 21 Ford, Wood Brothers Racing. Blaney was running seventh on Lap 125 when he reported bad tire chatter and opted to make an unscheduled pit stop for a loose wheel. He was then clocked too fast entering pit road. | MORE: Get pit road and so much more with RaceView Premium
24. Danica Patrick, No. 10 Chevrolet, Stewart-Haas Racing. Patrick worked through an initially tight-handling condition in her fifth New Hampshire start.
25. Paul Menard, No. 27 Chevrolet, Richard Childress Racing. Menard limped off the track on Lap 199 after cutting a tire, but wound up bringing out the caution when he spun at the pit road entrance.
26. Jamie McMurray, No. 1 Chevrolet. Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates. McMurray was running 13th with 30 laps to go when he radioed to his team that he thought his engine was blowing up. | MORE: Hear in-car audio with Scanner
27. Greg Biffle, No. 16 Ford, Roush Fenway Racing. The No. 16 team made gains on the handling, notably finding grip, and took the wave-around with 46 laps to go to get Biffle back on the lead lap. | RELATED: Biffle says it’s ‘hard to stay enthusiastic’
28. Cole Whitt, No. 35 Ford, Front Row Motorsports. Whitt matched his best performance at the 1.058-mile track
29. Sam Hornish Jr., No. 9 Ford, Richard Petty Motorsports. Forward progress was a challenge for Hornish, who brushed the wall early on Sunday and then later reported an engine issue on Lap 55.
30. Landon Cassill, No. 40 Chevrolet, Hillman Smith Motorsports. Cassill ran as high as fourth on Sunday, but his strong run was stalled when he got caught by the caution on pit road
31. Kyle Larson, No. 42 Chevrolet, Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates. Larson had to fight his way back after getting nabbed for speeding on pit road on Lap 105.
32. Trevor Bayne, No. 6 Ford, Roush Fenway Racing. The No. 6 team tried to use pit strategy to rally from a deep starting spot in Bayne’s first New Hampshire outing.
33. Brett Moffitt, No. 34 Ford, Front Row Motorsports. The fastest qualifying rookie improved upon his starting spot in his Loudon debut.
34. Clint Bowyer, No. 15 Toyota, Michael Waltrip Racing. Bowyer got loose in the corner and hit the wall with 93 laps to go. He successfully kept his car from spinning, but required a pit stop for repairs. | RELATED: Bowyer, Gordon make contact in garage
35. Matt DiBenedetto, No. 83 Toyota, BK Racing. DiBenedetto worked through a tight-handling condition in his Loudon debut. | MORE: DiBenedetto treated for heat-related issues
36. Michael Annett, No. 46 Chevrolet, HScott Motorsports. Handling was a persistent issue for Annett, whose team made a big adjustment with 100 laps to go. | MORE: Annett treated for heat-related issues
37. Eddie MacDonald, No. 32 Ford, Go FAS Racing. The New Englander and regular driver in the K&N Pro Series East made his second start at his home track.
38. Timmy Hill, No. 98 Ford, Premium Motorsports. Hill encountered some overheating during the early stages of Sunday’s 301-lap event.
39. Derek White, No. 33 Chevrolet, Circle Sport. The 2010 Rookie of the Year in the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series made his Cup debut when he lined up 42nd Sunday.
40. Justin Allgaier, No. 51 Chevrolet, HScott Motorsports. Allgaier struggled after hitting the wall on Lap 10. He retired for the day after losing power steering in the final 100 laps.
41. Jeb Burton, No. 26 Toyota, BK Racing. The rookie reported to the garage so his team could address a broken gear during the second half of the race.
42. Alex Bowman, No. 7 Chevrolet, Tommy Baldwin Racing. Bowman’s team changed his flat right-front tire at Lap 97, but Bowman didn’t make it off pit road as the already flammable area combusted. | WATCH: Bowman’s tire fire
43. J.J. Yeley, No. 23 Toyota, BK Racing. Yeley struggled with a vibration during the first half of Sunday’s race and finally retreated to the garage with a broken hub seal.
See what’s coming this week to NASCAR.com
Here’s what you’ll see on NASCAR.com this week:
MONDAY: Kenny Bruce writes on Furniture Row Racing, which is rumored to be considering a manufacturer switch to Toyota … Kyle Busch won for the third time in four races; see exactly what he has to do to clinch a Chase berth … The Rundown analyzes how every driver fared at New Hampshire.
TUESDAY: This week’s Power Rankings presented by Outback has a new No. 1 driver; who is it? Could Kyle Busch climb that high? … @nascarcasm has his weekly winner’s Facebook page, so get ready Kyle Busch … For the second week in a row, Joe Gibbs Racing and Team Penske were the cars to beat, as Pat DeCola reports … Want to know how Eldora works? We’ll tell you.
WEDNESDAY: New paint schemes will be on display at Indianapolis and Eldora, and we’ll have them all in Paint Scheme Preview … Speaking of Eldora, there’s plenty of action on the dirt track, and it begins at 10:30 a.m. ET. The race itself starts at 9 p.m. ET. We’ll have live leaderboards of it all … While you’re watching the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, vote on who you think will win at Indy.
THURSDAY: Driver Reports highlights the 16 drivers currently on the Chase Grid, and how they fare at Indianapolis … Senior writer Kenny Bruce will look back at Jeff Gordon‘s top Brickyard moments … Jessica Ruffin, for #TBT, throws it back to Tony Stewart‘s first win at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
FRIDAY: The Sprint Cup Series gets on track at 9 a.m. ET, and we’ll have full coverage from a busy day at the track … 8 Tweets You Might Have Missed highlights the best from social media over the past week … Kissing the bricks? @nascarcasm has a take on that.
Also coming this week: High Five, which drops Wednesday, highlights the best NASCAR content from around the internet … the Major League Baseball trade deadline is coming up, which got RJ Kraft thinking about some possible NASCAR driver trades.
NASCAR executive Steve O’Donnell gives perspective behind trio of incidents
MORE: O’Donnell talks about XFINITY Series running high-drag package at Indianapolis
From a car’s tire bursting into flames, to a question of whether or not oil was on the surface of New Hampshire Motor Speedway to drivers tossing empty water bottles onto the track, there were plenty of talking points one day after the 5-hour ENERGY 301.
NASCAR Executive Vice President and Chief Racing Development Officer Steve O’Donnell addressed them all with NASCAR.com, specifically noting that the discarded water bottles is something the sanctioning body will address with drivers.
"It’s never something we like to see," O’Donnell said one day after the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race in which two different cautions were thrown for debris that ended up being discarded water bottles. "If we can avoid a caution, we want to do that. In this situation, we weren’t sure in terms of what was on the track and were not exactly able to spot who did it, so it’s something we’ll address with the competitors going forward. We’ve had to do that in the past."
The second incident led to NBC analyst Jeff Burton suggesting that water bottles have numbers corresponding to the car number of the driver, making it easy to identify the culprit — which led to a humorous tweet from Ray Evernham.
Hey @JeffBurton we used put your # on our water bottle Lol. Enjoying the broad cast
— ray evernham (@RayEvernham) July 19, 2015
"We do that with some of the parts on the car. I saw Ray Evernham said ‘I’ll just put Jeff Burton‘s old number on the water bottle,’ " O’Donnell said. "That is something we’ve got to make sure we have video of instances in any case. I’ve said often we’ve got the smartest folks in the business, so you’ve always got to make sure what’s out there and what car it came from."
More from O’Donnell:
• On the length of time it took the safety crew to reach Alex Bowman, whose car was on fire: "It’s a balance. Certainly we want to get to any competitor as quickly as we can, but in any situation we’ve got to monitor what’s going on on the race track and enable ourselves to get the cars slowed down as quickly as possible to dispatch the emergency equipment.
"In that case, it took a little longer for us to get that opportunity for the safety equipment to get out to Alex, but that’s certainly something we focus on each and every weekend, and where we can improve, we’ll continue to do so. Our folks train for that every day, all year round and we want to keep the drivers in the most safe position as we can each and every race."
• On not throwing a caution when some drivers reported oil on the track: "We’re always going to err on the side of safety, first and foremost. We’ve got track spotters around the track in each corner. We’re monitoring the drivers and their spotters on the radio, so a lot of it will depend first and foremost, we’re going to check with our officials — do they see anything, have they relayed anything to us? If they have in the case of oil, most likely we’re going to throw the caution and err on the side of safety.
"We’ve also got to look at what time it is during the race — are competitors looking for a caution, is it within a pit window? From time to time, folks will call up saying there’s potential debris on the track and we can’t confirm that with our corner spotters so we’re going to rely on our officials. We certainly take the input from the drivers, especially when it comes to oil. And once we receive the message from our officials in the turns saying that there is potential oil on the race track, that’s when we’ll throw the caution."
Sprint Cup Series also using new aerodynamic package at the Brickyard
The NASCAR XFINITY Series is scheduled to run a high-drag rules package this weekend at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
The new aerodynamic package was highlighted by Steve O’Donnell, NASCAR Executive Vice President and Chief Racing Development Officer, in a Monday morning debrief with NASCAR.com. A NASCAR spokesperson confirmed the rules change will be in place for Saturday’s Lilly Diabetes 250 (3:30 p.m. ET, NBC, IMS Radio, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio), the 18th of 33 XFINITY Series races this season.
The rules package will mimic the setup to be used for the first time by the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series at Indianapolis in Sunday’s Crown Royal Presents the Jeff Kyle 400 at the Brickyard (3:30 p.m. ET, NBC Sports Network, IMS Radio, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio). The changes are expected to reduce speeds and promote tighter racing on the 2.5-mile track, potentially creating a pack-style competition.
"From our perspective, the high-drag package that’s going to be implemented in both the XFINITY and Cup Series, hopefully the ability of the cars to draft a little bit for that second or chased pack to be able to catch the leader," O’Donnell said. "Again, it’s new. It’s a new package for Indianapolis so we’ll evaluate it as we did for Kentucky to see what we learned, what was good, what we can tweak going forward. And I’m most proud about the work the industry has done, really coming together on somewhat short notice, putting a package together and being able to go out there and put on the best race possible, especially for the fans at Indy who come out each and every year."
The Sprint Cup package calls for a rear spoiler extended to 9 inches with a 1-inch wicker bill attached, a 2-inch splitter and a 43-inch radiator pan. On the XFINITY side, the rear spoiler will be extended 2 inches and teams will use a rear bumper cover specifically used at superspeedways at Daytona and Talladega.
XFINITY cars have 75 less horsepower than Sprint Cup cars (650 in XFINITY to 725 in Cup), and O’Donnell explained how running it in both series will help the sanctioning body.
"It’ll offer just something a little bit different," O’Donnell said. "Obviously the XFINITY
cars are somewhat underpowered compared to Cup so it’ll give us a look
at how the power works with both of those packages, what are some of the
gears that we used and what, if any, tweaks do we need to make coming
out of Indianapolis. Just provide some different data for us for both
series.
"Obviously a different competitor level for both of those, but anything we can do to improve both the XFINITY and Cup races, we wanted to do that. We think we’ve hit on that for the weekend."
The move follows NASCAR’s implementation of a low-downforce rules package for the Sprint Cup Series’ race at Kentucky Speedway on July 11, when teams raced with shorter spoilers and splitters to place a greater emphasis on driver input. Dale Earnhardt Jr. tried out the new high-drag package during a tire test last week at 1.5-mile Chicagoland Speedway, saying that he approved of NASCAR’s search for track-specific rules packages.
"I think the tracks, the racing — it’s a good way to sort of tweak and adjust the racing to make better racing at that track," Earnhardt said. "Some guys like more downforce, some guys like less downforce and different packages are going to lend themselves to different drivers, and that’s the same way with race tracks. The same thing that makes a great race at Kentucky might not make a great race at Indy or Michigan, so it’s a great time to be involved in the sport. For me, it’s exciting to go through these."
LOUDON, N.H. — Talk of a potential manufacturer change for Furniture Row Racing, a hot topic earlier this year, is beginning to resurface as the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series heads into the heat of the summer.
The Colorado-based organization fields the No. 78 Chevrolet with driver Martin Truex Jr. and has a technical alliance with Richard Childress Racing.
Team owner Barney Visser said last month that a manufacturer change might be necessary to acquire the funding needed to remain competitive and potentially expand to a multicar organization.
Sunday at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, he reiterated his stance, according to an NBC report. Reporter Marty Snider said Visser told him a switch was “a very real possibility.”
David Wilson, president & general manager, Toyota Racing Development, USA, told NASCAR.com Sunday morning that his group’s focus “is fighting for a championship this year.”
“If something were to happen, I make no bones about it, I’d love to have them,” Wilson said. “We’d like to have a couple more quality cars in our camp. If the stars and planets align themselves, then we’ll see. But no decision has been made.”
Toyota currently is aligned with Joe Gibbs Racing and Michael Waltrip Racing in Sprint Cup, supplying engines to both organizations. It entered NASCAR in 2004 in the Camping World Truck Series. The move to Sprint Cup came in 2007.
While it has enjoyed much success in the XFINITY Series and Truck Series, winning championships in both, it is still seeking its first Sprint Cup title.
“We talk to a lot of teams,” Wilson said. “We’re in the garage right next to each other. We’re housed in here and see everybody. Yeah, we talk to the 78 guys and a lot of other teams.
“We haven’t made any decisions. They haven’t made any decisions. I told Barney the other day he’d be crazy to change anything the way they are running right now.”
Truex Jr. finished 12th in Sunday’s 5-hour ENERGY 301 at NHMS. A win earlier this season at Pocono Raceway ensured the driver and team a spot in this year’s 16-team Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup.
Annett, DiBenedetto helped to care center after 5-hour ENERGY 301
RELATED: Full race results | Updated series standings
LOUDON, N.H. – Following Sunday’s race, a pair of drivers were taken to the infield care center to receive treatment for heat-related issues.
No, this wasn’t the Coke Zero 400 at Daytona International Speedway in the middle of July, it was … New Hampshire?
MORE: Dale Jr. ‘had to drive real hard all day long’
After relatively cool — but somewhat expected — temperatures for practice and qualifying sessions Friday and Saturday at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, Sunday’s 5-hour ENERGY 301 was run under steamy, Daytona-like conditions. Humidity spiked, thermometers rose and drivers drooped.
Michael Annett and Matt DiBenedetto each had to be helped to the care center after the checkered flag dropped, spending about an hour and a half receiving treatment before being released. AJ Allmendinger also needed to be tended to in his hauler before leaving the track.
I’m fine. Had strep throat all weekend. Was warm in the car. Nothing a little water and ice after couldn’t fix afterwards. All good here.
— AJ Allmendinger (@AJDinger) July 19, 2015
Brad Keselowski, Sunday’s runner-up, looked paler than his white No. 2 Team Penske Ford when he was in the media center and all but needed to cut his press conference short just to regain his breath.
"Ready to go home," Keselowski said. "Ready to go home."
"It was hot out there," Dale Earnhardt Jr. agreed.
DiBenedetto was feeling better after being treated later tweeting "Thanks for the concern everyone … I got dehydrated and sick but the infield care center gave me fluids and I’m a little better. It was hot!"
It was abundantly clear that heat was the overlying theme of the race, as several drivers made a point to say how much the temperatures affected them and their race cars.
Hottest race of the year so far today. I drank 100oz of electrolyte fluids in the car (5 bottles), and another 60oz after. Still behind.
— landon cassill (@landoncassill) July 19, 2015
"That was a tough one for sure. It was hot out there. We worked hard," said Austin Dillon.
"The heat of the day kind of threw us for a loop and we just weren’t very good," explained Ryan Blaney.
Even super-athlete Jimmie Johnson, who has battled heat exhaustion before, noted that, "It was toasty for sure. It’s weird how much hotter we are in the cars at Dover and Loudon."
An added condition that Allmendinger was battling was the dreaded mid-summer cold, too.
"I wasn’t as my best today either," said Allmendinger, who finished 13th. "I’ve been battling strep throat. It was very hot today and I got frustrated at times because I wasn’t feeling good."
One driver who was able to brave the elements and come out on the other side healthy — and in Victory Lane — was race-winner Kyle Busch.
"I’m definitely warm," said Busch, who needed to fill up his water bottle and take long sips from it before answering questions in his post-race press conference. "I’m still trying to cool down right now, as cold as it is in (the media center). You get that brisk when you walk through the door but then after that you’re like ‘OK, I need more.’
"It’s warm. This is one of the warmest days I think I’ve ever remembered up here in this part of the country. Fortunately for me, I was all good. I’ve got a really good team of guys that work on my seat for me and I’ve really been nitpicking them this year to try and get more comfortable each week and it’s really paying off. Hopefully now that they see us winning some races and I’m thankful to them for giving me the right cooling and everything."
JGR driver wins for second consecutive week, continues rise in standings
RELATED: Full race results | Updated series standings | SHOP: Busch gear
LOUDON, N.H. — The odds in Kyle Busch‘s favor made another dramatic surge on Sunday afternoon at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.
In winning for the third time in eight starts since returning from an 11-race injury absence, Busch solidified his chances of qualifying for the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup with a serendipitous victory in the 5-hour ENERGY 301 at the Magic Mile.
Two critical moves were essential to Busch’s winning for the second time at New Hampshire and the 32nd time in his career. First, with the No. 18 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota sliding in a patch of oil and thinking he had a tire going flat, Busch brought his car to pit road on Lap 244, sooner than planned.
That allowed Busch to gain time on the track while other contending cars stayed out on old tires. The spur of the moment “strategy" ultimately played out in his favor.
Second, Busch got back on the lead lap with a gutsy pass of race leader Kevin Harvick and second-place Brad Keselowski, weaving through traffic on the frontstretch seconds before NASCAR called a caution for fluid on the track on Lap 251 of 301.
Busch inherited the top spot when the rest of the lead-lap cars came to pit road on Lap 253, and he stayed up front the rest of the way. After taking the white flag, Busch won the race under yellow when Alex Bowman‘s accident in Turn 2 on the final lap caused the race’s seventh caution.
Given the discussion on team radios about the probability of that Lap 251 caution being called, Busch felt a strong sense of urgency to make what proved to be the decisive pass.
"I knew I’d been running it hard and I’d been trying to catch (Matt) Kenseth in front of me that entire run, and I had just been so tight that I couldn’t get going and couldn’t get a rhythm going to close in on Kenseth. And I figured I just chewed the right front off of it, because I went into the corner and the thing just went straight one time so I was like, ‘Man, I’m down to cords now, that’s it, it’s done.’
"We shot to pit road and got it changed there, and evidently it was oil on the race track that just made the car slip so bad from out from under me. We got a lucky break and I hauled butt, man, those five laps I ran were five qualifying laps through traffic trying to get back up to the front and pass Harvick to stay on the lead lap. That was our saving bucket right there. That was what we needed to do."
The offshoot of the victory is that Busch’s hopes of making the Chase now are better than realistic. To qualify, he must finish the first 26 races in the top 30 in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series standings. With seven races left before the cutoff, Busch is 33rd, trailing 30th-place David Gilliland by 58 points.
"This is such an awesome win and such an awesome comeback," Busch said. "I just can’t say enough about everyone at Joe Gibbs Racing, the work that they’ve put in. Our cars are a lot better than what they were last year.
"It’s so much fun to win these races and to win with this group of guys — (crew chief) Adam Stevens and this bunch, all my pit crew since 2008, they deserve all this."
Keselowski, who got two fresh tires on the last pit stop, was closing on Busch at the end of the race but ran out of time and finished second. For the second straight week, Keselowski failed to win in what was arguably the best car.
"We had a really fast car and led a lot of laps (a race-high 100)," Keselowski said tersely. "I’m really proud of the team for bringing me two fast cars these past two weekends."
"It’s a joy to drive cars that fast," added Keselowski, looking less than joyful.
Asked whether he was frustrated, Keselowski replied, "I’m ready to go home."
Asked whether taking four tires instead of two on the last pit stop might have made a difference, Keselowski said, "It probably didn’t matter, so it’s hard to say. It is what it is."
Harvick came home third, followed by Joey Logano and Dale Earnhardt Jr. Kenseth, polesitter Carl Edwards, Austin Dillon, Jeff Gordon and Kurt Busch completed the top 10.