{"id":22921,"date":"2018-11-11T19:07:45","date_gmt":"2018-11-12T01:07:45","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/racedaysa.com\/?p=22921"},"modified":"2018-11-11T19:13:30","modified_gmt":"2018-11-12T01:13:30","slug":"with-win-in-phoenix-kyle-busch-leads-big-three-into-title-race","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/2018\/11\/11\/with-win-in-phoenix-kyle-busch-leads-big-three-into-title-race\/","title":{"rendered":"With win in Phoenix, Kyle Busch leads Big Three into title race"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"\"

Kyle Busch, driver of the #18 M&M’s Toyota, celebrates in Victory Lane after winning the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Can-Am 500 at ISM Raceway on November 11, 2018 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Jonathan Ferrey\/Getty Images)<\/p><\/div>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

AVONDALE, Ariz. \u2013 Holding off Brad Keselowski after a restart with 12 laps left in Sunday\u2019s Can-Am 500<\/strong> at ISM Raceway<\/strong>, Kyle Busch<\/strong> claimed his eighth Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series<\/a> victory of the season and led NASCAR\u2019s Big Three into the Championship 4 race at Homestead-Miami Speedway<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

\"\"

Kyle Busch, driver of the #18 M&M’s Toyota, takes the checkered flag to win the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Can-Am 500 at ISM Raceway on November 11, 2018 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Sarah Crabill\/Getty Images)<\/p><\/div>\n

After a wreck on Lap 269 of 312 ended the championship hopes of Kurt Busch and Chase Elliott\u2014both of whom had been in the mix throughout the day\u2014Busch grabbed the lead from Joe Gibbs Racing teammate Erik Jones on Lap 277 and held it the rest of the way, through two subsequent cautions and restarts.<\/p>\n

Busch\u2019s victory, the 51st of his career and his second at the one-mile track\u2014coming 13 years after his first one\u2014tied him for the series lead with Kevin Harvick, who had to overcome an early flat tire to join Busch, Martinsville winner Joey Logano and Martin Truex Jr. (14th on Sunday) in the Championship 4 Round.<\/p>\n

The 51st win broke a tie with NASCAR Hall of Famers Junior Johnson and Ned Jarrett, leaving Busch alone in 11th place on the all-time list.<\/p>\n

\"\"

Kyle Busch, driver of the #18 M&M’s Toyota, celebrates with a burnout after winning the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Can-Am 500 at ISM Raceway on November 11, 2018 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Sean Gardner\/Getty Images)<\/p><\/div>\n

By the time he took the checkered flag .501 seconds ahead of Keselowski, Busch had already clinched a spot in the title race on points.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat a day! What a race!\u201d Busch said. \u201cIt\u2019s an awesome team and awesome group of guys. Can\u2019t say enough about everybody at Joe Gibbs Racing\u2014all the men and women there that work so hard to prepare such great race cars that I get to drive.\u201d<\/p>\n

Busch, who won the 2015 championship after missing the first 11 events of the season because of injuries sustained in an accident at Daytona, now carries significant momentum into the championship race.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019d like to think it gives us a lot, but I don\u2019t know\u2013talk is cheap. We\u2019ve got to be able to go out there and perform and just do what we need to do. Being able to do what we did here today was certainly beneficial.<\/p>\n

\"\"

Kyle Busch, driver of the #18 M&M’s Toyota, celebrates with the checkered flag after winning the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Can-Am 500 at ISM Raceway on November 11, 2018 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Sarah Crabill\/Getty Images)<\/p><\/div>\n

“I didn\u2019t think we were the best car, but we survived, and we did what we needed to do today. It\u2019s just about getting to next week, and once we were locked in, it was \u2018All  bets are off, and it\u2019s time to go.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n

Truex didn\u2019t have a contending car, but the reigning series champion did an admirable job avoiding the sort of trouble that dashed the hopes of other championship contenders.<\/p>\n

Clint Bowyer exited early, thanks to a flat left rear tire that sent him hard into the Turn 3 wall on Lap 133. Kurt Busch led 52 laps and overcame a one-lap penalty for passing the pace car at the entrance to pit road under caution on Lap 135.<\/p>\n

After regaining the lost lap, however, Busch was fighting for the lead after a restart on Lap 269 when the No. 11 Toyota of Denny Hamlin ran him into the outside wall. Busch\u2019s No. 41 Ford bounced off the barrier and collected the No. 9 Chevrolet of Chase Elliott, who had led 16 laps and won the first stage.<\/p>\n

\"\"

Brad Keselowski, driver of the #2 Miller Lite Ford, leads Ryan Blaney, driver of the #12 PPG Ford, during the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Can-Am 500 at ISM Raceway on November 11, 2018 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Sarah Crabill\/Getty Images)<\/p><\/div>\n

Unable to continue, Busch finished 32nd. Elliott lost three laps under repairs and came home 23rd.<\/p>\n

With Kurt Busch and Elliott out of contention, Harvick was assured of a Championship 4 berth unless Stewart-Haas Racing teammate Aric Almirola won the race. Almirola lined up second to Kyle Busch for the final restart on Lap 301 but faded to fourth at the finish, and Harvick was in.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat flat tire, just leading the stage there, coming to the white, and the tire goes flat,\u201d Harvick said of his early issue. \u201cThat just put us behind and that was really the turning point in our day, to not have everything go right. <\/p>\n

\u201cI mean, we got ourselves back in contention there, and we’re going in the right direction and wound up just finding a spot at the end to just survive there and get to the finish.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"

Kevin Harvick, driver of the #4 Busch Light Ford, leads the field to turn one after taking the green flag to start the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Can-Am 500 at ISM Raceway on November 11, 2018 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Jonathan Ferrey\/Getty Images)<\/p><\/div>\n

Harvick finished fifth behind Almirola. Jamie McMurray, Matt Kenseth, Austin Dillon, William Byron, and Bubba Wallace completed the top 10.<\/p>\n

Byron clinched Sunoco Rookie of the Year honors for the series.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe haven’t had very good runs, to be honest, the whole year, but this run we kind of went a completely different direction with what we were doing and it seemed to pay off, and just kind of had a solid weekend other than qualifying,\u201d Byron said.<\/p>\n

\u201cGot some damage there, but we were able to come back, I guess, and finish ninth, so I guess that’s decent, and going to Homestead next week.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/h3>\n

Media Center Interviews:<\/h3>\n

Kyle Busch – <\/p>\nhttp:\/\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/ISM_MENCS_KBusch_111118.mp3<\/a><\/audio>\n

 <\/p>\n

Winning crew chief Adam Stevens and team owner Coach Joe Gibbs – <\/p>\nhttp:\/\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/ISM_MENCS_Adams_Gibbs_111118.mp3<\/a><\/audio>\n

 <\/p>\n

Brad Keselowski – <\/p>\nhttp:\/\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/ISM_MENCS_Keselowski_111118.mp3<\/a><\/audio>\n

 <\/p>\n

Kevin Harvick, Martin  Truex Jr. and William Byron – <\/p>\nhttp:\/\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/ISM_MENCS_Byron_Harvick_Truexjr_111118.mp3<\/a><\/audio>\n

 <\/p>\n

Kurt Busch – <\/p>\nhttp:\/\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/ISM_MENCS_KuBusch_111118.mp3<\/a><\/audio>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joey Logono – <\/p>\nhttp:\/\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/ISM_MENCS_Logano_111118.mp3<\/a><\/audio>\n

 <\/p>\n

Clint Bowyer – <\/p>\nhttp:\/\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/ISM_MENCS_Bowyer_111118.mp3<\/a><\/audio>\n

 <\/p>\n

Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Race – 31st Annual Can-Am 500<\/b><\/p>\n

ISM Raceway<\/b><\/p>\n

Avondale, Arizona<\/b><\/p>\n

Sunday, November 11, 2018<\/b><\/p>\n

                  1. (6)  Kyle Busch (P), Toyota, 312.<\/p>\n

                  2. (12)  Brad Keselowski, Ford, 312.<\/p>\n

                  3. (8)  Kyle Larson, Chevrolet, 312.<\/p>\n

                  4. (18)  Aric Almirola (P), Ford, 312.<\/p>\n

                  5. (1)  Kevin Harvick (P), Ford, 312.<\/p>\n

                  6. (21)  Jamie McMurray, Chevrolet, 312.<\/p>\n

                  7. (17)  Matt Kenseth, Ford, 312.<\/p>\n

                  8. (15)  Austin Dillon, Chevrolet, 312.<\/p>\n

                  9. (19)  William Byron #, Chevrolet, 312.<\/p>\n

                  10. (30)  Bubba Wallace #, Chevrolet, 312.<\/p>\n

                  11. (22)  Ryan Newman, Chevrolet, 312.<\/p>\n

                  12. (24)  AJ Allmendinger, Chevrolet, 312.<\/p>\n

                  13. (10)  Denny Hamlin, Toyota, 312.<\/p>\n

                  14. (13)  Martin Truex Jr. (P), Toyota, 312.<\/p>\n

                  15. (20)  Jimmie Johnson, Chevrolet, 312.<\/p>\n

                  16. (23)  Michael McDowell, Ford, 311.<\/p>\n

                  17. (7)  Erik Jones, Toyota, 310.<\/p>\n

                  18. (25)  Chris Buescher, Chevrolet, 310.<\/p>\n

                  19. (28)  Ty Dillon, Chevrolet, 310.<\/p>\n

                  20. (31)  David Ragan, Ford, 310.<\/p>\n

                  21. (27)  Matt DiBenedetto, Ford, 310.<\/p>\n

                  22. (29)  Regan Smith, Chevrolet, 310.<\/p>\n

                  23. (2)  Chase Elliott (P), Chevrolet, 309.<\/p>\n

                  24. (33)  Ross Chastain(i), Chevrolet, 309.<\/p>\n

                  25. (34)  Cole Whitt, Chevrolet, 309.<\/p>\n

                  26. (32)  Landon Cassill(i), Chevrolet, 308.<\/p>\n

                  27. (38)  DJ Kennington(i), Chevrolet, 306.<\/p>\n

                  28. (39)  Cody Ware, Chevrolet, 306.<\/p>\n

                  29. (11)  Paul Menard, Ford, 303.<\/p>\n

                  30. (5)  Alex Bowman, Chevrolet, Accident, 285.<\/p>\n

                  31. (36)  Tanner Berryhill, Toyota, Accident, 283.<\/p>\n

                  32. (14)  Kurt Busch (P), Ford, Accident, 272.<\/p>\n

                  33. (3)  Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Ford, Accident, 262.<\/p>\n

                  34. (4)  Ryan Blaney, Ford, Radiator, 237.<\/p>\n

                  35. (16)  Clint Bowyer (P), Ford, Accident, 133.<\/p>\n

                  36. (26)  Daniel Suarez, Toyota, Accident, 96.<\/p>\n

                  37. (9)  Joey Logano (P), Ford, Accident, 95.<\/p>\n

                  38. (35)  JJ Yeley(i), Toyota, Oil Leak, 88.<\/p>\n

                  39. (37)  Timmy Hill(i), Toyota, Oil Leak, 40.<\/p>\n

Average Speed of Race Winner:  98.354 mph.<\/p>\n

Time of Race:  3 Hrs, 10 Mins, 20 Secs. Margin of Victory:  0.501 Seconds.<\/p>\n

Caution Flags:  10 for 61 laps.<\/p>\n

Lead Changes:  17 among 9 drivers.<\/p>\n

Lap Leaders:   K. Harvick (P) 1-72;C. Elliott (P) 73-78;R. Blaney 79;C. Elliott (P) 80-83;K. Busch (P) 84-135;R. Blaney 136;M. Truex Jr. (P) 137-143;K. Busch (P) 144-224;C. Elliott (P) 225-230;R. Blaney 231;B. Keselowski 232-243;M. Truex Jr. (P) 244;B. Keselowski 245-264;K. Harvick (P) 265;E. Jones 266-276;K. Busch (P) 277-288;R. Newman 289;K. Busch (P) 290-312.<\/p>\n

Leaders Summary (Driver, Times Lead, Laps Led):  Kyle Busch (P) 3 times for 116 laps; Kevin Harvick (P) 2 times for 73 laps; Kurt Busch (P) 1 time for 52 laps; Brad Keselowski 2 times for 32 laps; Chase Elliott (P) 3 times for 16 laps; Erik Jones 1 time for 11 laps; Martin Truex Jr. (P) 2 times for 8 laps; Ryan Blaney 3 times for 3 laps; Ryan Newman 1 time for 1 lap.<\/p>\n

Stage #1 Top Ten: 9,12,11,41,2,42,18,20,88,3<\/p>\n

Stage #2 Top Ten: 18,2,78,4,42,3,9,12,24,10<\/p>\n

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

  By Reid Spencer, NASCAR Wire Service AVONDALE, Ariz. \u2013 Holding off Brad Keselowski after a restart with 12 laps left in Sunday\u2019s Can-Am 500 at ISM Raceway, Kyle Busch claimed his eighth Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series victory of the season and led NASCAR\u2019s Big Three into the Championship 4 race at Homestead-Miami Speedway. After […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":676,"featured_media":22933,"comment_status":"open","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_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":[524,561,59,16],"class_list":["post-22921","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-nascar","tag-can-am-500","tag-ism-raceway","tag-kyle-busch","tag-nascar"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/358560-e1541983866197.jpg?fit=640%2C399","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p7hzTZ-5XH","jetpack-related-posts":[],"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/22921","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\/676"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=22921"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"http:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/22921\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":22938,"href":"http:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/22921\/revisions\/22938"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/22933"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=22921"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=22921"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=22921"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}