Kyle Rowdy Busch over-powered the field once again in the Xfinity Series at Kansas Speedway. The Joe Gibbs Racing powerhouse led 150 of the 200 laps turned. As a result, Rowdy Busch claimed his ninth Xfinity Series victory of 2016, in a truly dominant performance.
It was also his third straight Xfinity Series triumph at Kansas Speedway. Rowdy Busch also took the checkered flag here in a Sprint Cup car for the first time this spring. The only problem is that he races full time in Sprint Cup, and his trip to victory lane does nothing but pad the talented drivers pockets.
“There were a lot of things trying to work against us toward the end, but we just persevered,” said Busch, who at one point was a lap down. “We had great speed. I think we showed it all weekend. It was just a matter of putting it all together and ending up in victory lane, where we deserved to be.” commented Rowdy Busch.
“Overall this NOS Energy Drink Camry was awesome. I can’t say enough about my guys on this team – they do a great job each and every week. I use the XFINITY One app all the time, that fans should too. We appreciate the fans as well and being able to put this Toyota Camry in victory lane today.” said Rowdy Busch.
In the early stages of the race, Rowdy Busch was pulling away from the Xfinity Chase drivers just 55 circuits in to the Kansas lottery 300 at Kansas Speedway. There were only five hot-rods that were on the lead lap. Up to that point, the contest was yellow flag free so there was nothing impeding Busch’s machine.
Nevertheless, a caution came out in the Kansas Lottery 300 on lap 58. As a result, Brennan Poole got the free go-around on the race’s re-start and 13 other racers had improved upon their positions.
Unfortunately, Kyle Busch got caught during a green flag pit stop when a caution came out. The turn in events left the the fastest car a lap down. However, Busch was the first speedster one lap down and immediately raced his misfortunes away. In fact, he flew through the field, grabbing the lead once and for all and cruised to the win by an impressive 4.025 seconds.
JR Motorsport’s Elliott Sadler and Rowdy Busch’s teammate Daniel Suarez, continued their impressive runs in the 2016 Xfinity Series Chase. Sadler finished second and Suarez guided his Toyota into the third position. Both Chase racers now have a nice start to the three-race Round of 8.
“Everyone is starting off square,” Sadler said, “so you’re trying to get a point here and get a point there. Now everybody will have different strategies as we go to Texas and Phoenix.”
Kyle Larson and Joey Logano, two other Sprint Cup mainstays, waged an epic side-by-side duel to round out the top five. JR Motorsport’s Justin Allgaier and Darrell Wallace Jr. were also involved in a late race wreck.
Although, Allgaier’s partially destroyed car was able to finish a lap down in 14th. Wallace ended up finishing 33rd and now has his work cut out for him over the next to events if he hopes to keep his Chase dreams alive and avoid elimination heading into Miami Homestead.
Final Running Order for the Kansas lottery 300 at Kansas Speedway:
Winner: Kyle Rowdy Busch Toyota
2 Elliott Sadler Chevy
3 Daniel Suarez Toyota
4 Joey Logano Ford
5 Kyle Larson Chevy
6 Regan Smith Chevy
7 Brennan Poole Chevy
8 Brandon Jones Chevy
9 Blake Koch Chevy
10 JJ Yeley Toyota
11 Matt DiBenedetto Toyota
12 Ty Dillon Chevy
13 Ross Chastain Chevy
14 Justin Allgaier Chevy
15 Erik Jones Toyota
16 Ryan Reed Ford
17 Austin Dillon Chevy
18 Garrett Smithley Chevy
19 Ray Black Jr. Chevy
20 Dakoda Armstrong Toyota
21 Jeff Green Ford
22 BJ McLeod Ford
23 Joey Gase Chevy
24 David Starr Chevy
25 Brandon Brown Chevy
26 Martin Roy Chevy
27 Josh Reaume Ford
28 Jeremy Clements Chevy
29 Jennifer Jo Cobb Chevy
30 Mike Harmon Dodge
31 Brendan Gaughan Chevy
32 Ryan Preece Chevy
33 Darrell Wallace Jr. Ford
34 Ryan Sieg Chevy
35 Cole Custer Chevy
36 Ryan Ellis Chevy
37 Matt Waltz Chevy
38 Derrike Cope Chevy
39 Brandon Hightower Dodge
40 Timmy Hill Toyota
