{"id":443,"date":"2016-03-04T22:45:47","date_gmt":"2016-03-05T04:45:47","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/racedaysa.com\/?p=443"},"modified":"2016-03-04T23:07:31","modified_gmt":"2016-03-05T05:07:31","slug":"kurt-busch-claims-pole-for-kobalt-400-at-las-vegas-motor-speedway","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/2016\/03\/04\/kurt-busch-claims-pole-for-kobalt-400-at-las-vegas-motor-speedway\/","title":{"rendered":"Kurt Busch claims pole for Kobalt 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway"},"content":{"rendered":"

[Best_Wordpress_Gallery id=”6″ gal_title=”Friday Las Vegas”]<\/p>\n

Story courtesy of Team Chevrolet Racing, photos courtesy of NASCAR<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

LAS VEGAS \u2013 <\/strong>Kurt Busch captured the pole for Sunday\u2019s Kobalt 400 NASCAR Sprint Cup race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway (LVMS) by posting a new track record of 196.328 mph in his No. 41 Monster Energy\/Haas Automation Chevrolet SS. It was Busch\u2019s second consecutive pole for 2016, the 21st<\/sup> of his career, and second at his hometown track.<\/p>\n

\"Kurt

Kurt Busch, driver of the #41 Monster Energy \/ Haas Automation Chevrolet, drives during practice for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Kobalt 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on March 4, 2016 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Todd Warshaw\/Getty Images)<\/p><\/div>\n

\u201cIt was insanely fast,\u201d said Busch following his performance in the knockout-style qualifying format.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s amazing all the detail that goes into qualifying with finding that perfect lap three times out there.\u00a0 My second outing we were way tight, and I didn\u2019t know where it came from. (Tony) Gibson, (crew chief) and crew went to town.\u00a0 They just adjusted on it.\u00a0 We gambled and we made that last session, which was great.\u00a0 That was icing on the cake to be able to go out into the third round.\u00a0 Two poles in a row is a reason to celebrate.\u201d<\/p>\n

The feat was Chevrolet\u2019s fourth all-time pole position at LVMS. Team Chevy drivers will look to give the Bowtie Brand its eighth victory in 18 events at the track just outside of the famous Las Vegas strip. Chevrolet drivers have won two of the last four races at the 1.5-mile speedway.<\/p>\n

\"Kurt

Kurt Busch, driver of the #41 Monster Energy \/ Haas Automation Chevrolet, poses for a photo after winning the pole award during qualifying for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Kobalt 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on March 4, 2016 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Sean Gardner\/NASCAR via Getty Images<\/p><\/div>\n

Austin Dillon had a solid run in his No. 3 Dow Energy & Water\/Intellifresh Chevrolet SS and will start the 267-lap race from the fifth starting position.\u00a0 Kevin Harvick was sixth quick in his No. 4 Jimmy John\u2019s Chevy SS, and Kasey Kahne qualified eighth in his No. 5 Farmer\u2019s Insurance Chevrolet SS; both posting faster laps than the previous track record.<\/p>\n

Joey Logano (Ford) will start on the outside front row next to Busch, Matt Kenseth (Toyota) will start third, and Brad Keselowski (Ford) qualified fourth to round out the top five in the order.<\/p>\n

The KOBALT 400 is scheduled to begin at\u00a03:30 p.m. ET on Sunday March 6. Live coverage will be available on FOX,\u00a0PRN Radio, Sirius NASCAR Radio Channel 90 and NASCAR.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"Kurt

Kurt Busch, driver of the #41 Monster Energy \/ Haas Automation Chevrolet, drives during practice for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Kobalt 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on March 4, 2016 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Chris Trotman\/Getty Images<\/p><\/div>\n

\"Kurt

Kurt Busch, driver of the #41 Monster Energy \/ Haas Automation Chevrolet, poses for a photo after winning the pole award during qualifying for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Kobalt 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on March 4, 2016 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Chris Trotman\/Getty Images<\/p><\/div>\n

Here is what Kurt Busch had to say after his qualifying run.<\/p>\n

WALK US THROUGH YOUR POLE WINNING RUN:<\/strong>
\n\u201cIt was quite the adventurous three rounds.\u00a0 We had to make an extra run because of the driver trying to go too hard and give it all that he could.\u00a0 I just overdrove Turn 1 in the second round. That forced us into a situation to where we had to go make an extra run and it just made it for an extra pressure cooker situation.\u00a0 All-in-all you just have to play it cool and rely on all of your team members.\u00a0 The way that the session unfolded for us we were in perfect position by the time we got to Round 3 because we had made it to Round 3.\u00a0 I said \u2018you know we are either pole or we are 12th it doesn\u2019t matter\u2019.\u00a0 When you go tell yourself and rely on the car and the grip that the team gave you, you go for it.\u00a0 If it sticks then usually it\u2019s a pole because I have that good of a team from Stewart-Haas Racing.\u00a0 Qualifying is getting so tight.\u00a0 Everybody is trying to find that hundredth of a second.\u00a0 It comes from all areas.\u00a0 I\u2019m just blessed to have a great crew and a great group of guys that give it their all.\u00a0 No matter if it\u2019s a qualifying session, a race session and each pit stop.\u00a0 I\u2019m just very happy with the team right now.\u00a0 We will quickly celebrate this, but focus on long run speed for tomorrow\u2019s practice session.\u00a0 Atlanta didn\u2019t go as well as we had hoped as far as the long run speed, but two poles in a row that is a reason to celebrate.\u00a0 It symbolizes our hard work during the off season to come out of the box, sit on two poles, at two 1.5-miles right away.\u201d<\/p>\n

ON SETTING THE TRACK RECORD IN ROUND 1:
\n<\/strong>\u201cWow that is fast.\u00a0 As a driver you don\u2019t necessarily know the speed or the lap time.\u00a0 You just go for it.\u00a0 It\u2019s all due to the hard work of the engine shop, thanks to Hendrick engines, the guys balancing the car and the tire guy finding that special matched set.\u00a0 All-in-all it\u2019s really cool to celebrate two poles in a row, get a track record and do it at your home town track. Today was a hell of a Friday.\u201d<\/p>\n

HOW MUCH LOVE DO YOU FEEL HERE IN LAS VEGAS?
\n<\/strong>\u201cVegas is different.\u00a0 It\u2019s our hometown and we grew up racing on that little 3\/8-mile bullring that is in the shadows of this 1.5-mile track.\u00a0 Every time I come out here it reminds me of all the people that helped Kyle (Busch, brother) and I, especially our Dad Tom.\u00a0 But the different late model teams, modified teams, the legend car races and all the competitors, the dwarf car days.\u00a0 It\u2019s just fun to come back and reminisce.\u00a0 But, ultimately you\u2019ve got to strap on the helmet and focus on the task at hand.\u00a0 The team gave me a great car to go for the pole.\u00a0 It\u2019s always special in Vegas.\u00a0 Now I\u2019ve just got to settle in and get the best 267 laps that I can on Sunday and try to drive our Monster Energy\/Haas Automation Chevy to Victory Lane.\u201d<\/p>\n

DO YOU FEEL MORE LOVE HERE THAN OTHER PLACES?
\n<\/strong>\u201cYeah, the love, the comradery, just the overall family and friend aspect.\u00a0 As I was just walking from Victory Lane from getting the pole I saw three old crew members and one of the lead track safety crew guys that when I was a volunteer. I volunteered to be on the track safety crew back in the \u201890\u2019s just so I could be closer to the action.\u00a0 There was Scooter (track safety co-worker) he gave me a high five.\u201d<\/p>\n

WHAT DID YOU LEARN BETWEEN THE SECOND RUN AND THE THIRD RUN? ARE YOU GOING TO ANY SPRING TRAINING WHILE IN PHOENIX?
\n<\/strong>\u201cThat second round I just drove too aggressively thinking that I needed to run in the 27.30\u2019s, 28.30\u2019s, I needed to run a 30, but it ended up I needed to run a high 40. When you press to run extra speed it only induces ill handling characteristics to the car.\u00a0 So, being on the tight side after that round, (Tony) Gibson (crew chief) just loosened it up and he said \u2018calm down\u2019 and it stuck.\u00a0 That is the confidence he gave me to go back out there and to reboot and to get that car through the second round.<\/p>\n

\u201cSpring training wise, I messed up my schedule, I\u2019m staying here in Vegas extra and then I\u2019m leaving Phoenix early to go to L.A.\u00a0 Just lots of sponsor things going on with Monster Energy.\u00a0 Haas Automation headquarters is out in L.A. and with all the different things going on here in my hometown I\u2019m pretty busy this week.\u201d<\/p>\n

DO YOU HAVE ANY CONCERN ABOUT THE WIND ON SUNDAY?\u00a0 ANYTHING COME UP WITH THE POSSIBILITY OF RUNNING INDY THIS YEAR?
\n<\/strong>\u201cYeah, I\u2019m looking at the forecast.\u00a0 It looks pretty gnarly for the wind. That\u2019s a West Coast term, gnarly, but the speed of the wind will push us big time, from what I\u2019m gathering, from a southwest direction into Turn 3.\u00a0 When you have a tailwind multiplied by 30 mph that is a head wind of 30 mph down the front straightaway.\u00a0 That is a swing of 60 mph.\u00a0 That is a significant difference that these cars are going to feel.\u00a0 We have tested Nashville a few times way back in the day where there was a cross wind of 40 mph.\u00a0 The downforce increase and decrease is staggering.\u00a0 We are all going to be out there struggling, fighting and trying to gain that grip with the tailwind.<\/p>\n

\u201cNothing new on Indy.\u00a0 Part of the reason for staying here in Vegas extra is a few different meetings have popped up.\u00a0 We are going to go through some of the meetings, even bumped into Sam Schmidt today.\u00a0 There is definitely the interest, the intrigue, but nothing to announce right now.\u201d<\/p>\n

IS THERE ANYTHING THAT YOU CAN TAKE FROM ATLANTA FROM WHERE YOU WERE ON QUALIFYING DAY TO THE RACE TO MAKE BETTER TO HERE?
\n<\/strong>\u201cIt\u2019s almost as big of a difference, a quick bowling comparison, when you have all the pins sitting there and you are going for a strike and when you have a spare to pick up you almost bowl a different bowling ball.\u00a0 You have a whole different approach and you have to completely switch gears into what race trim is asking.\u00a0 So, what I hope we learned from last week is don\u2019t let the adrenaline, the energy and the excitement of getting a pole jade the focus that has to be given to race trim.\u00a0 Last week we just left too much of the tire aggressiveness in our car and we chewed up our stuff.\u00a0 We were out there struggling try to hang on to the lead lap halfway through the race.\u00a0 This week we just need to tone it down and go into a better race trim package and almost ignore the fact that we got the pole today.\u201d<\/p>\n

YOU TALKED ABOUT THE INSANE\/LUDICROUS SPEED OUT THERE. HOW MUCH TIRE FALL OFF ARE YOU EXPECTING?
\n<\/strong>\u201cYeah that is Matt Yocum (FOX Pit Reporter) and I joking around about the ludicrous speed and the insane speed.\u00a0 We came up with that years ago from the movie Space Balls<\/em>.\u00a0 That is like our inside joke, but when we go fast in qualifying it feels fast. Overall, I think this downforce package is almost the same with fresh tires, but when the tires drop off that is when the pace decreases even that much more so.\u00a0 That is why race trim and qualifying trim are now two completely different trajectories.\u00a0 Therefore, we are all going to be slip sliding around especially with the wind conditions.\u00a0 Once we all get out there together, 40 cars, that really stirs up the air and everybody gets crossed up out there with the lower downforce.\u201d<\/p>\n

BASED ON YOUR PRACTICE SPEEDS AND WHAT YOU GUYS DID IN PRACTICE HOW CONFIDENT WERE YOU THAT YOU WOULD BE ON THE POLE? <\/strong>
\n\u201cWhen you are in the mix, that is what I call it, the Penske cars were 1-2, we were third.\u00a0 There is always a couple of sleepers like (Matt) Kenseth or (Jimmie) Johnson.\u00a0 (Kyle) Larson was fastest last week and then he didn\u2019t even advance to the final round.\u00a0 You never know. I just call it in the mix and then you\u2019ve got to adjust the car to the current conditions, which would be hopefully Round 3 and you are going for it.\u00a0 So, you always have to have the confidence you can do it, but it\u2019s mainly the trust in the team.\u201d<\/p>\n

WHAT DID YOU PICK UP FROM THE TEST THAT YOU REALLY LIKED WITH THE CAR?
\n<\/strong>\u201cI just hope I don\u2019t trend on how I\u2019ve trended in the past.\u00a0 This is statistically one of my worst tracks for finishes.\u00a0 It\u2019s one of my best tracks for qualifying.\u00a0 The test session did help, but we were here to help Goodyear choose a tire that would give us the grip and the comfort that the drivers were looking for. As well as, give us the opportunity to try to race side-by-side and to put on that good show that our fans are thirsty for. We want to see that, but at a track like this where pace is so important you\u2019ve got to make sure the fall off is proper with the tire.\u00a0 That is what we were focused on at the Goodyear tire test.\u00a0 All-in-all I think we are benefitting from all the hard work from behind the scenes from Stewart-Haas committing to the 1.5-mile program and getting us where we need to be.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

[Best_Wordpress_Gallery id=”6″ gal_title=”Friday Las Vegas”] Story courtesy of Team Chevrolet Racing, photos courtesy of NASCAR LAS VEGAS \u2013 Kurt Busch captured the pole for Sunday\u2019s Kobalt 400 NASCAR Sprint Cup race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway (LVMS) by posting a new track record of 196.328 mph in his No. 41 Monster Energy\/Haas Automation Chevrolet SS. […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":448,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"ngg_post_thumbnail":0,"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_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}},"categories":[11],"tags":[69,16],"class_list":["post-443","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-nascar","tag-kurt-busch","tag-nascar"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/LVMS_NXS_KuBusch_030416.jpg?fit=3960%2C2640&ssl=1","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p7hzTZ-79","jetpack-related-posts":[],"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/443","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\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=443"}],"version-history":[{"count":8,"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/443\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":455,"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/443\/revisions\/455"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/448"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=443"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=443"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=443"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}