{"id":16116,"date":"2018-04-08T19:13:07","date_gmt":"2018-04-09T00:13:07","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/racedaysa.com\/?p=16116"},"modified":"2018-04-08T19:20:49","modified_gmt":"2018-04-09T00:20:49","slug":"kyle-busch-holds-off-kevin-harvick-at-texas-for-seasons-first-victory","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/2018\/04\/08\/kyle-busch-holds-off-kevin-harvick-at-texas-for-seasons-first-victory\/","title":{"rendered":"Kyle Busch holds off Kevin Harvick at Texas for season\u2019s first victory"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Kyle Busch, driver of the #18 Interstate Batteries Toyota, celebrates winning the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series O’Reilly Auto Parts 500 at Texas Motor Speedway on April 8, 2018 in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by Chris Graythen\/Getty Images)<\/p><\/div>\n

 <\/p>\n

By Reid Spencer, NASCAR Wire Service<\/em><\/p>\n

FORT WORTH, Texas \u2013 In a race that saw two of the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series\u2019<\/a> elite drivers play chase to the checkered flag, Kyle Busch<\/strong> held off Kevin Harvick<\/strong> to win Sunday\u2019s O\u2019Reilly Auto Parts 500 at Texas Motor Speedway<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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Kyle Busch, driver of the #18 Interstate Batteries Toyota, celebrates with a burnout after winning the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series O’Reilly Auto Parts 500 at Texas Motor Speedway on April 8, 2018 in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by Sean Gardner\/Getty Images)<\/p><\/div>\n

Harried by Harvick for 23 laps after a restart on Lap 312 of 334, Busch powered his No. 18 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota across the finish line .300 seconds ahead of the driver of the No. 4 Stewart-Haas Racing Ford. The key to Busch\u2019s victory was a mistake-free run over the final laps.<\/p>\n

\u201c(Harvick was) probably just a tick faster overall, but I just had to make sure to do everything I could to hit all my marks and everything to focus on making sure that I did the right things to block his air a little bit,\u201d Busch said.<\/p>\n

Harvick acknowledged that Busch did a good job of protecting the bottom lane and avoiding errors over the closing laps.<\/p>\n

\"\"

Kyle Busch, driver of the #18 Interstate Batteries Toyota, celebrates with a burnout after winning the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series O’Reilly Auto Parts 500 at Texas Motor Speedway on April 8, 2018 in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by Chris Graythen\/Getty Images)<\/p><\/div>\n

\u201cKyle\u2019s car was good enough to where he could get out there and run pretty good in clean air,\u201d Harvick said. \u201cIt took us the whole run to be able to get everything back together and do everything we needed to do to make up a position.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe weren\u2019t as good behind him as we were in front of him. His car would run fast enough. There is only so much you can make up.\u201d<\/p>\n

The win was Busch\u2019s first of the season after three runner-up results, his third victory at Texas and the 44th of his career, tied with NASCAR Hall of Famer Bill Elliott for 16th on the all-time list.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt feels awesome,\u201d Busch said. \u201cAny time you can win at a track that kind of isn\u2019t maybe one of your favorites or isn\u2019t one of your best, then it definitely means even more because it just \u2013 you try to focus on those tracks and make it a little bit more meaningful and a little bit more special to get it done.<\/p>\n

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Kyle Busch, driver of the #18 Interstate Batteries Toyota, poses in Victory Lane with his son Brexton and wife Samantha after winning the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series O’Reilly Auto Parts 500 at Texas Motor Speedway on April 8, 2018 in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by Jonathan Ferrey\/Getty Images)<\/p><\/div>\n

\u201cSo cool though to be in Victory Lane here \u2013 finally this year and punch our ticket into the Playoffs and of course, you know also just continue our hot streak of being the points leader right now and keeping these guys focused on what we need to do all year long.\u201d<\/p>\n

Harvick was the poster child for Murphy\u2019s Law on Sunday, and it was a minor miracle that he was there at the end of the race to challenge Busch. The 2014 series champion won the first stage of the race under caution after building a lead that exceeded 12 seconds but lost the top spot to Busch off pit road on Lap 86.<\/p>\n

That was just the beginning of Harvick\u2019s troubles. He came off pit road ninth, losing eight spots, after a flying lug nut jammed the jack on a Lap 129 stop and prevented it from lowering. On Lap 136, he brought the No. 4 back to pit road with a loose wheel and lost a lap, only to regain it by staying on the track during an extended cycle of stops.<\/p>\n

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Kyle Busch, driver of the #18 Interstate Batteries Toyota, affixes the winner’s decal to his car in Victory Lane with his son Brexton and wife Samantha after winning the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series O’Reilly Auto Parts 500 at Texas Motor Speedway on April 8, 2018 in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by Chris Graythen\/Getty Images)<\/p><\/div>\n

During a Lap 237 pit stop under caution for Paul Menard\u2019s blown right front tire, one of Harvick\u2019s crew members fell into his pit stall trying to corral a tire, resulting in a too-many-men-over-the-wall penalty.<\/p>\n

By Lap 278, however, Harvick had regained the second spot with a pass of eventual fourth-place finisher Erik Jones, and a caution on Lap 303 for Ryan Newman\u2019s hard crash into the Turn 1 wall gave him the opportunity to close up on Busch.<\/p>\n

That was as close as Harvick got. Busch pulled ahead after the Lap 312 restart and stayed in front the rest of the way.<\/p>\n

Jamie McMurray ran third, the best finish for the driver of the No. 1 Chip Ganassi Racing Chevrolet since a second place at Talladega in May of last year. Jones likewise collected his first top five of the season.<\/p>\n

Ryan Blaney overcame brake problems to run fifth. Joey Logano, pole winner Kurt Busch, Darrell \u201cBubba\u201d Wallace Jr., Clint Bowyer and William Byron completed the top 10. The 10th-place result was a career-best for Byron, a contender for Sunoco Rookie of the Year honors.<\/p>\n

Wallace collected his first top 10 since running second in the Daytona 500.<\/p>\n

Busch expanded his series lead to 38 points over second-place Logano. Blaney is 51 points back in third.<\/p>\n

Media Center Interviews:<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Race winner Kyle Busch – <\/p>\nhttp:\/\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/MENCS_TMS_KyBusch_040818.mp3<\/a><\/audio>\n

 <\/p>\n

Race winning car owner Joe Gibbs and crew chief Adam Stevens – <\/p>\nhttp:\/\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/MENCS_TMS_Gibbs_Stevens_040818.mp3<\/a><\/audio>\n

 <\/p>\n

Kevin Harvick – <\/p>\nhttp:\/\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/MENCS_TMS_Harvick_040818.mp3<\/a><\/audio>\n

 <\/p>\n

Jamie McMurray – <\/p>\nhttp:\/\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/MENCS_TMS_McMurray_040818.mp3<\/a><\/audio>\n

 <\/p>\n

Erik Jones – <\/p>\nhttp:\/\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/MENCS_TMS_Jones_040818.mp3<\/a><\/audio>\n

 <\/p>\n

Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Race – O’Reilly Auto Parts 500<\/b><\/p>\n

Texas Motor Speedway<\/b><\/p>\n

Fort Worth, Texas<\/b><\/p>\n

Sunday, April 8, 2018<\/b><\/p>\n

                  1. (8) Kyle Busch, Toyota, 334.<\/p>\n

                  2. (2) Kevin Harvick, Ford, 334.<\/p>\n

                  3. (24) Jamie McMurray, Chevrolet, 334.<\/p>\n

                  4. (21) Erik Jones, Toyota, 334.<\/p>\n

                  5. (4) Ryan Blaney, Ford, 334.<\/p>\n

                  6. (7) Joey Logano, Ford, 334.<\/p>\n

                  7. (1) Kurt Busch, Ford, 334.<\/p>\n

                  8. (15) Darrell Wallace Jr. #, Chevrolet, 334.<\/p>\n

                  9. (3) Clint Bowyer, Ford, 334.<\/p>\n

                  10. (33) William Byron #, Chevrolet, 334.<\/p>\n

                  11. (20) Chase Elliott, Chevrolet, 333.<\/p>\n

                  12. (13) Trevor Bayne, Ford, 333.<\/p>\n

                  13. (23) Ty Dillon, Chevrolet, 332.<\/p>\n

                  14. (27) Michael McDowell, Ford, 332.<\/p>\n

                  15. (18) Chris Buescher, Chevrolet, 331.<\/p>\n

                  16. (30) Matt DiBenedetto, Ford, 329.<\/p>\n

                  17. (28) Kasey Kahne, Chevrolet, 328.<\/p>\n

                  18. (31) Ross Chastain(i), Chevrolet, 325.<\/p>\n

                  19. (34) Cole Whitt, Chevrolet, 324.<\/p>\n

                  20. (32) Gray Gaulding, Toyota, 322.<\/p>\n

                  21. (35) Landon Cassill, Chevrolet, 321.<\/p>\n

                  22. (36) Harrison Rhodes, Chevrolet, 319.<\/p>\n

                  23. (29) David Ragan, Ford, 317.<\/p>\n

                  24. (22) AJ Allmendinger, Chevrolet, Engine, 316.<\/p>\n

                  25. (26) Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Ford, Suspension, 315.<\/p>\n

                  26. (17) Austin Dillon, Chevrolet, 304.<\/p>\n

                  27. (25) Ryan Newman, Chevrolet, Accident, 303.<\/p>\n

                  28. (16) Alex Bowman, Chevrolet, 294.<\/p>\n

                  29. (14) Daniel Suarez, Toyota, 290.<\/p>\n

                  30. (19) Paul Menard, Ford, Accident, 215.<\/p>\n

                  31. (37) * Reed Sorenson, Chevrolet, Overheating, 209.<\/p>\n

                  32. (12) Aric Almirola, Ford, Accident, 178.<\/p>\n

                  33. (11) Brad Keselowski, Ford, Accident, 178.<\/p>\n

                  34. (5) Denny Hamlin, Toyota, Accident, 177.<\/p>\n

                  35. (9) Jimmie Johnson, Chevrolet, Accident, 175.<\/p>\n

                  36. (10) Kyle Larson, Chevrolet, Accident, 126.<\/p>\n

                  37. (6) Martin Truex Jr., Toyota, Accident, 80.<\/p>\n

Average Speed of Race Winner:  141.714 mph.<\/p>\n

Time of Race:  3 Hrs, 32 Mins, 07 Secs. Margin of Victory:  0.300 Seconds.<\/p>\n

Caution Flags:  8 for 48 laps.<\/p>\n

Lead Changes:  16 among 8 drivers.<\/p>\n

Lap Leaders:   Kurt Busch 0; K. Harvick 1-43; D. Hamlin 44-55; K. Harvick 56-86; Kyle Busch 87-116; K. Harvick 117-129; Kurt Busch 130-166; Kyle Busch 167-172; Kurt Busch 173; E. Jones 174-231; Kurt Busch 232-233; W. Byron # 234; E. Jones 235-240; Kyle Busch 241-290; C. Elliott 291-294; R. Stenhouse Jr. 295-304; Kyle Busch 305-334.<\/p>\n

Leaders Summary (Driver, Times Lead, Laps Led):  Kyle Busch 4 times for 116 laps; K. Harvick 3 times for 87 laps; E. Jones 2 times for 64 laps; Kurt Busch 3 times for 40 laps; D. Hamlin 1 time for 12 laps; R. Stenhouse Jr. 1 time for 10 laps; C. Elliott 1 time for 4 laps; W. Byron # 1 time for 1 lap.<\/p>\n

Stage #1 Top Ten: 4,18,41,22,42,14,1,2,9,20<\/p>\n

Stage #2 Top Ten: 18,41,22,20,14,9,2,17,11,10<\/p>\n

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Kurt Busch, driver of the #41 Haas Automation\/Monster Energy Ford, leads the field past the green flag to start the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series O’Reilly Auto Parts 500 at Texas Motor Speedway on April 8, 2018 in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by Sean Gardner\/Getty Images)<\/p><\/div>\n

 <\/p>\n

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Kurt Busch, driver of the #41 Haas Automation\/Monster Energy Ford, leads the field to start the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series O’Reilly Auto Parts 500 at Texas Motor Speedway on April 8, 2018 in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by Chris Graythen\/Getty Images)<\/p><\/div>\n

 <\/p>\n

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Jimmie Johnson, driver of the #48 Lowe’s for Pros Chevrolet, pits during the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series O’Reilly Auto Parts 500 at Texas Motor Speedway on April 8, 2018 in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by Richard Rodriguez\/Getty Images)<\/p><\/div>\n

 <\/p>\n

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Kevin Harvick, driver of the #4 Busch Light Ford, and Clint Bowyer, driver of the #14 Mobil 1\/Rush Truck Centers Ford, drive during caution laps in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series O’Reilly Auto Parts 500 at Texas Motor Speedway on April 8, 2018 in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by Chris Graythen\/Getty Images)<\/p><\/div>\n

 <\/p>\n

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Kyle Busch, driver of the #18 Interstate Batteries Toyota, races during the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series O’Reilly Auto Parts 500 at Texas Motor Speedway on April 8, 2018 in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by Jonathan Ferrey\/Getty Images)<\/p><\/div>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"\"

Brad Keselowski, driver of the #2 Miller Lite Ford, and Denny Hamlin, driver of the #11 FedEx Office Toyota, are involved in an on-track incident during the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series O’Reilly Auto Parts 500 at Texas Motor Speedway on April 8, 2018 in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by Sean Gardner\/Getty Images)<\/p><\/div>\n

 <\/p>\n

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Erik Jones, driver of the #20 Reser’s Toyota, leads a pack of cars during the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series O’Reilly Auto Parts 500 at Texas Motor Speedway on April 8, 2018 in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by Richard Rodriguez\/Getty Images)<\/p><\/div>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

  By Reid Spencer, NASCAR Wire Service FORT WORTH, Texas \u2013 In a race that saw two of the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series\u2019 elite drivers play chase to the checkered flag, Kyle Busch held off Kevin Harvick to win Sunday\u2019s O\u2019Reilly Auto Parts 500 at Texas Motor Speedway. Harried by Harvick for 23 laps after […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":16225,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"ngg_post_thumbnail":0,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[11],"tags":[59,16,413,21],"class_list":["post-16116","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-nascar","tag-kyle-busch","tag-nascar","tag-oreilly-auto-parts-500","tag-texas-motor-speedway"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p7hzTZ-4bW","jetpack-related-posts":[],"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/MENCS_TMS_CheckeredFlag_0401818-e1523232543965.jpg?fit=640%2C427","_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16116","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=16116"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"http:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16116\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":16233,"href":"http:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16116\/revisions\/16233"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/16225"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=16116"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=16116"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=16116"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}