While other drivers were dealing with issues during the race from flat tires to pit road issues, Kurt Busch drove about as hard as he could with no mistakes to take home the win for 23XI Racing. And to top it off, he broke the season long jinx of no Stage 2 winner coming out on top.
With several restarts due to flat tires, several of the early leaders saw themselves having to battle back from the rear or several laps down. Pit road issues kept Denny Hamlin from getting closer than he did but that’s not a new story when it comes to the 11 team.
Kyle Larson sure looked like he had the car to beat and somehow managed to save his car when he was sideways to Kurt Busch and even after he rubbed the wall a few times. That takes one heck of a driver to maintain his position at the front of the field and a lot of racing luck to not blow a right side tire with as many times as he found the outside wall.
His battle with Kurt Busch was classic with both drivers using the track to their advantage and keeping it clean with neither driver feeling the need to drive through the other to get to the front. Granted, there is more room at Kansas than perhaps some of the smaller tracks, but it would have been easy for either driver to punt the other and call it a racing incident. Instead we saw good, hard side by side racing.
This win probably puts Busch into the playoffs. I say probably because there are already 11 winning drivers and just two of them multiple time winners. Looking at the non-winners, it is safe to say we’ll be pushing the 16 winners mark by the time we are done. A winning drivers position in the standings just might come into play in order to advance into the playoffs.
Good on ya, mate
- Kurt Busch (P1) winning was a popular in the garage. Can’t say that was always the case.
- Kyle Larson (P2) put the New Gen car through its paces with the outside wall.
- Kyle Busch (P3) had a good car and good things to say to his bro.
- Denny Hamlin (P4) overcame a start from the rear and pit road challenges. Again.
- Christopher Bell (P5) started on the pole and had to rally after a flat tire.
- Martin Truex, Jr. (P6) rounded out the five Toyotas in the first six spots even after a flat tire issue.
- Ross Chastain (P7) continues to impress this season.
- Ricky Stenhouse, Jr. (P8) grabbed another Top 10. Reality or mirage?
- Bubba Wallace (10) could have been better but had pit road tire penalty.
So you had a bad day
- Ryan Blaney (P12) was very competitive until the end of the race.
- Austin Dillon (P13) had a decent run. Not great but decent.
- Brad Keselowski (P14) is still struggling to get into the Top 10.
- Kevin Harvick (P15) brought out a late caution for a near spin and great save. Maybe NASCAR thought he was going to hit the wall and come art but no, he is way better than that. Although I am sure he appreciated the caution.
- William Byron (P16) was leading the race and then a flat tire sent him back.
- Chase Elliott (P29) lost a tire, wound up in the infield and got stuck.
- Tyler Reddick (P30) started outside pole but had a flat rear tire.
Jayski has full race results here.
Next!
Next up, the All Star race at Texas Motor Speedway and then off to Charlotte. That’s right boys and girls, no back to back racing at Texas. And then on to something called World Wide Technology Raceway, the former Gateway International raceway. Looks kinda like Darlington, we’ll have to see how it races.
Congrats!
Kyle and Samantha Busch for a new baby girl.
That’s it for now, drive fast, turn left and keep the shiny side up. And leave your thoughts and comments in the comment section below!
Read more of my columns by clicking here.
Credit: KANSAS CITY, KANSAS – MAY 15: Kurt Busch, driver of the #45 Jordan Brand Toyota, and Austin Cindric, driver of the #2 Menards/Monster Ford, race during the NASCAR Cup Series AdventHealth 400 at Kansas Speedway on May 15, 2022 in Kansas City, Kansas. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images/NASCAR Media)
