{"id":20817,"date":"2018-07-29T20:15:09","date_gmt":"2018-07-30T01:15:09","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/racedaysa.com\/?p=20817"},"modified":"2018-07-29T20:33:31","modified_gmt":"2018-07-30T01:33:31","slug":"kyle-busch-charges-from-the-back-at-pocono-for-sixth-win-of-the-season","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/2018\/07\/29\/kyle-busch-charges-from-the-back-at-pocono-for-sixth-win-of-the-season\/","title":{"rendered":"Kyle Busch charges from the back at Pocono for sixth win of the season"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"\"

Kyle Busch, driver of the #18 M&M’s Caramel Toyota, celebrates in Victory Lane after winning the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Gander Outdoors 400 at Pocono Raceway on July 29, 2018 in Long Pond, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jeff Zelevansky\/Getty Images)<\/p><\/div>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

LONG POND, Pa. \u2013 A post-qualifying inspection failure? No problem.<\/p>\n

A starting position deep in the field for Sunday\u2019s Gander Outdoors 400<\/strong> at Pocono Raceway<\/strong>? Just another challenge for Kyle Busch<\/strong> to overcome.<\/p>\n

\"\"

Kyle Busch, driver of the #18 M&M’s Caramel Toyota, takes the checkered flag to win the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Gander Outdoors 400 at Pocono Raceway on July 29, 2018 in Long Pond, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Chris Trotman\/Getty Images)<\/p><\/div>\n

Holding off a determined charge from Joe Gibbs Racing teammate Daniel Suarez in two late restarts\u2014the first after a brutal wreck that sidelined Bubba Wallace\u2014Kyle Busch powered his No. 18 Toyota to his sixth Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series victory of the season, tying fourth-place finisher Kevin Harvick for the series lead.<\/p>\n

Suarez started from the pole and finished a career-best second, 1.788 seconds behind Busch, who collected his second victory at the 2.5-mile Tricky Triangle and the 49th of his career, tying him with Tony Stewart for 13th on the all-time win list.<\/p>\n

With the triumph, Busch completed a weekend sweep at Pocono, having tied NASCAR Hall of Famer Ron Hornaday Jr. for the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series career lead at 51 with his win in Saturday\u2019s Gander Outdoors 150.<\/p>\n

After his celebratory burnout, Busch had nothing but praise for his teammate.<\/p>\n

\"\"

Kyle Busch, driver of the #18 M&M’s Caramel Toyota, celebrates with a burnout in front of his team after winning the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Gander Outdoors 400 at Pocono Raceway on July 29, 2018 in Long Pond, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Chris Trotman\/Getty Images)<\/p><\/div>\n

“Suarez, man, I can’t say enough about my teammate,\u201d Busch said. \u201cHe was probably the third-best car. Harvick was the best car, and we were second-best car, and I think Suarez was the third-best car. He gave us a run for our money there on that last restart.\u201d<\/p>\n

“The last restart I spun my tires a little bit too much and he got a really good run. I think that gave (JGR teammate and fifth-place finisher Erik) Jones an opportunity to make it three-wide going into (Turn) 1. They got into racing (each other), and I kind of got away.\u201d<\/p>\n

On tying Stewart with 49 wins, Busch said, \u201cThat’s awesome. You keep reaching up the ladder, and you keep reaching more milestone drivers. Tony Stewart is one of the all-time best and one of the drivers I was a fan of growing up as well. It’s awesome to tie him.”<\/p>\n

Alex Bowman ran third, a career-best finish that left 15th in the series standings and enhanced his chances of qualifying for the Playoffs.<\/p>\n

\"\"

Kyle Busch, driver of the #18 M&M’s Caramel Toyota, celebrates winning the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Gander Outdoors 400 at Pocono Raceway on July 29, 2018 in Long Pond, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Chris Trotman\/Getty Images)<\/p><\/div>\n

Harvick and Busch posted the two fastest laps in Saturday\u2019s qualifying session, but their times were disallowed because of subsequent inspection failures\u2014along with those of 11 other drivers. Busch started 28th and Harvick 29th.<\/p>\n

Harvick won Stage 2, but the Toyotas of Busch, Suarez, Jones, Denny Hamlin and Martin Truex Jr. pitted three laps before the end of the stage and stayed out under the subsequent caution, putting Harvick back in traffic for a restart on Lap 106.<\/p>\n

A collision with Stewart-Haas Racing teammate Aric Almirola on pit road sent Harvick to the back of the field once more, but he was able to drive up to fourth before running out of laps at the finish.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt definitely changed the course of the race,\u201d Adam Stevens, Busch\u2019s crew chief, said of the Toyotas pitting en masse before the end of Stage 2. But Stevens demurred when asked if it was a group decision.<\/p>\n

\"\"

Kyle Busch, driver of the #18 M&M’s Caramel Toyota, leads a pack of cars during the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Gander Outdoors 400 at Pocono Raceway on July 29, 2018 in Long Pond, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Chris Trotman\/Getty Images)<\/p><\/div>\n

Suarez did all he could to catch his teammate after Busch took the lead on Lap 108 of 164, but to no avail.<\/p>\n

\u201cSometimes, as a driver, you’re on offense, or you are on defense, and myself, in the second part of the race, I was most of the time on offense, and I was just attacking as hard as I can,\u201d Suarez said. \u201cMany times, my spotter was telling me what was going on behind me, and one or two times I was very, very close to telling him, \u2018Hey, I don’t care what’s going on behind me\u2014just tell me what’s going on with the 18 (Busch).<\/p>\n

\u201cYou know, we did a good job. I feel like we put ourselves in position. We just have to put ourselves in position more often. If this starts to happen often, we are going to get one. We just have to keep working hard, and maybe next time we can get a little bit more help from behind. I feel like that was all it was going to take, just a little bit more push.\u201d<\/p>\n

Busch held a comfortable lead over Suarez on Lap 154, when Wallace, running 22nd at the time, slammed into the Turn 1 wall with bone-jarring impact.<\/p>\n

\"\"

Kyle Busch, driver of the #18 M&M’s Caramel Toyota, poses with the trophy in Victory Lane after winning the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Gander Outdoors 400 at Pocono Raceway on July 29, 2018 in Long Pond, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jeff Zelevansky\/Getty Images)<\/p><\/div>\n

\u201cNo brakes\u2014oh (expletive)!,\u201d Wallace screamed over his radio as his car lurched to the left at the end of the frontstretch, slid through the grass and smashed into the SAFER barrier on the passenger\u2019s side. A tense minute passed before Wallace lowered his window net; he was conscious and able to move within the car.<\/p>\n

Wallace climbed from the crippled car with the aid of safety workers and sat on the asphalt, his back against the driver\u2019s door, and climbed into a waiting ambulance for a trip to the infield care center.<\/p>\n

\u201cHardest one of my career,\u201d Wallace said of the impact. \u201cI was just telling them here (in the care center) there is no feeling like being helpless in that situation going off into Turn 1, and it scared the hell out of me. I didn\u2019t know if I was going to remember if I hit or not, so we are good.<\/p>\n

\u201cBit my cheek, banged my foot off the pedal. I\u2019m OK, though. I\u2019ll wake up tomorrow and be a little sore, but the safety has come a long way. It\u2019s good to be able to climb out of the car. The EMT\u2019s were worried that I didn\u2019t let the window net down fast enough, and I was like \u2018Hell, that was the last thing I thought about\u2014I\u2019m sorry.\u2019 <\/p>\n

\u201cEverything was good. They gave me an ultrasound\u2014no twins or anything, so I\u2019m good.\u201d<\/p>\n

Notes: Busch led a race-high 52 laps\u2026 On top of the series standings, Busch now leads Harvick by 48 points. He also leads Harvick 35-33 in Playoff points\u2026 Chase Elliott picked up his second Playoff point of the season with a victory in Stage 1\u2026 Harvick win in Stage 2 with his series-best 10th stage victory of the season\u2026 William Byron posted a career-best sixth-place finish. With Bowman running fourth and Elliott seventh, Hendrick Motorsports placed three drivers in the top 10 in a Cup race for the first time since last October at Charlotte.<\/p>\n

Media Center Interviews:<\/h3>\n

Kyle Busch, Adam Stevens and Coach Joe Gibbs – <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Alex Bowman and Daniel Suarez – <\/p>\nhttp:\/\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Pocono2_MENCS_BowmanSuarez_072918.mp3<\/a><\/audio>\n

 <\/p>\n

Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Race – Gander Outdoors 400<\/p>\n

Pocono Raceway<\/p>\n

Long Pond, Pennsylvania<\/p>\n

Sunday, July 29, 2018<\/p>\n

               1. (28) Kyle Busch, Toyota, 164.<\/p>\n

               2. (1) Daniel Suarez, Toyota, 164.<\/p>\n

               3. (10) Alex Bowman, Chevrolet, 164.<\/p>\n

               4. (29) Kevin Harvick, Ford, 164.<\/p>\n

               5. (3) Erik Jones, Toyota, 164.<\/p>\n

               6. (38) William Byron #, Chevrolet, 164.<\/p>\n

               7. (6) Chase Elliott, Chevrolet, 164.<\/p>\n

               8. (9) Ryan Newman, Chevrolet, 164.<\/p>\n

               9. (7) Kurt Busch, Ford, 164.<\/p>\n

               10. (2) Denny Hamlin, Toyota, 164.<\/p>\n

               11. (31) Clint Bowyer, Ford, 164.<\/p>\n

               12. (33) Ryan Blaney, Ford, 164.<\/p>\n

               13. (37) Austin Dillon, Chevrolet, 164.<\/p>\n

               14. (14) AJ Allmendinger, Chevrolet, 164.<\/p>\n

               15. (8) Martin Truex Jr., Toyota, 164.<\/p>\n

               16. (13) Michael McDowell, Ford, 164.<\/p>\n

               17. (35) Jimmie Johnson, Chevrolet, 164.<\/p>\n

               18. (11) Matt Kenseth, Ford, 164.<\/p>\n

               19. (16) David Ragan, Ford, 164.<\/p>\n

               20. (5) Jamie McMurray, Chevrolet, 164.<\/p>\n

               21. (36) Paul Menard, Ford, 164.<\/p>\n

               22. (17) Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Ford, 164.<\/p>\n

               23. (32) Kyle Larson, Chevrolet, 164.<\/p>\n

               24. (15) Ty Dillon, Chevrolet, 164.<\/p>\n

               25. (34) Aric Almirola, Ford, 164.<\/p>\n

               26. (30) Joey Logano, Ford, 164.<\/p>\n

               27. (18) Matt DiBenedetto, Ford, 164.<\/p>\n

               28. (20) JJ Yeley(i), Toyota, 164.<\/p>\n

               29. (19) * Jeffrey Earnhardt, Toyota, 163.<\/p>\n

               30. (40) Kasey Kahne, Chevrolet, 162.<\/p>\n

               31. (23) * Kyle Weatherman, Chevrolet, 161.<\/p>\n

               32. (25) * Reed Sorenson, Chevrolet, 161.<\/p>\n

               33. (39) Bubba Wallace #, Chevrolet, Accident, 153.<\/p>\n

               34. (24) Landon Cassill, Chevrolet, 148.<\/p>\n

               35. (22) Ross Chastain(i), Chevrolet, 146.<\/p>\n

               36. (27) * Timmy Hill(i), Toyota, 142.<\/p>\n

               37. (12) Chris Buescher, Chevrolet, Transmission, 123.<\/p>\n

               38. (4) Brad Keselowski, Ford, Accident, 121.<\/p>\n

               39. (21) Corey LaJoie, Chevrolet, Accident, 95.<\/p>\n

               40. (26) BJ McLeod(i), Chevrolet, Engine, 77.<\/p>\n

Average Speed of Race Winner:  132.46 mph.<\/p>\n

Time of Race:  03 Hrs, 05 Mins, 43 Secs. Margin of Victory:  1.788 Seconds.<\/p>\n

Caution Flags:  7 for 29 laps.<\/p>\n

Lead Changes:  13 among 10 drivers.<\/p>\n

Lap Leaders:   D. Suarez 1-21; B. Keselowski 22; J. McMurray 23; Kurt Busch 24-34; D. Hamlin 35-39; C. Elliott 40-53; E. Jones 54-64; K. Harvick 65-77; D. Suarez 78-84; K. Harvick 85-101; W. Byron # 102-111; Kyle Busch 112-121; D. Suarez 122; Kyle Busch 123-164.<\/p>\n

Leaders Summary (Driver, Times Lead, Laps Led):  Kyle Busch 2 times for 52 laps; K. Harvick 2 times for 30 laps; D. Suarez 3 times for 29 laps; C. Elliott 1 time for 14 laps; Kurt Busch 1 time for 11 laps; E. Jones 1 time for 11 laps; W. Byron # 1 time for 10 laps; D. Hamlin 1 time for 5 laps; J. McMurray 1 time for 1 lap; B. Keselowski 1 time for 1 lap.<\/p>\n

Stage #1 Top Ten: 9,4,11,18,19,14,2,41,88,12<\/p>\n

Stage #2 Top Ten: 4,9,14,88,42,48,2,1,12,24<\/p>\n

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

  By Reid Spencer, NASCAR Wire Service LONG POND, Pa. \u2013 A post-qualifying inspection failure? No problem. A starting position deep in the field for Sunday\u2019s Gander Outdoors 400 at Pocono Raceway? Just another challenge for Kyle Busch to overcome. Holding off a determined charge from Joe Gibbs Racing teammate Daniel Suarez in two late restarts\u2014the […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":676,"featured_media":20821,"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_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":[635,59,16,252],"class_list":["post-20817","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-nascar","tag-gander-outdoors-400","tag-kyle-busch","tag-nascar","tag-pocono-raceway"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/357029-e1532912860637.jpg?fit=640%2C452&ssl=1","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p7hzTZ-5pL","jetpack-related-posts":[],"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/20817","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/676"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=20817"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/20817\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":20833,"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/20817\/revisions\/20833"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/20821"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=20817"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=20817"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=20817"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}