Prevails at Auto Club
The Kyle Busch era at Richard Childress Racing began three weeks ago at the Los Angeles Coliseum, but the coronation was reserved for Sunday‘s Pala Casino 400 in the last NASCAR Cup Series race at 2-mile Auto Club Speedway.
Busch grabbed the lead from Ross Chastain on Lap 165 and regained it on Lap 180 at the end of a cycle of green-flag pit stops, as the race ran under green for the final 55 laps. He crossed the finish line on Lap 200 with a 2.998-second advantage over runner-up Chase Elliott.
The victory was the 61st of Busch‘s career, most among active drivers and ninth all-time. For the 19th straight season, Busch has won at least one NASCAR Cup Series race, breaking a tie with seven-time champion Richard Petty for the series record.
“Welcome to RCR, baby,” the No. 8 radio reported as Busch crossed the line. “First of many.”
Kyle and Kurt Busch now hold the record for most combined Cup victories by brothers with 95, one more than the total accumulated by Bobby and Donnie Allison.
Coincidentally, Busch claimed the first Cup win of his career at Auto Club, the bulk of whose property was recently sold — with plans to replace the 2-mile speedway with a short track.
Busch‘s victory at Auto Club came in his second start in the No. 8 Chevrolet for RCR, the team he joined after 15 seasons and two series championships with Joe Gibbs Racing.
“I can‘t thank Richard and Judy (Childress) enough, Austin (Dillon) for calling me and getting me talking and getting me the opportunity to come over here to RCR,” said Busch, who had to overcome a pit-road speeding penalty under caution on Lap 43.
“The guys did a great job. (Crew chief) Randall (Burnett) — everybody that worked so hard in the offseason. We did a lot of sim stuff, a lot of testing in general, just trying to get up to speed. There is nothing more rewarding than being able to go to Victory Lane. …
“You put yourself in a different situation and you‘re able to reward your guys. It‘s not about me always winning, but about the guys. I‘ve worked with a lot of great people who‘ve given me a lot of great opportunities in my career. It‘s awesome to be able to reward them.”
It’s going to be a ROWDY year! Congrats @KyleBusch on your first win of the season, here’s to many more 🏁 Get Rowdy with our winning Buy One, Get One 25% off deal at https://t.co/BldQaaVAHQ using code: Restock pic.twitter.com/tDauRSIgu1
— Rowdy Energy (@rowdyenergy) February 27, 2023
No comments:
Post a Comment