CONCORD, N.C. — Picking up where he left off in last week’s Monster Energy NASCAR All-Star Race, Kyle Busch dominated to win the first stage of Sunday night’s Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
Busch led a total of 35 of the first 100 laps, including the final 11 after passing defending race winner Martin Truex Jr. and driving off to a 1.432 second margin at the green-checkered flag.
“It’s such a differing race from the beginning to the end,” Busch explained after winning the stage. “You talk about being in the sun and going into the night … typically when you’re good in the day that’s not a good omen, but sometimes it can be if you’re good overall.”
“We have speed in our M&M’s Camry. I really appreciate these guys and we are going to try to stay on top of our adjustments and keep ourselves up front.”
Polesitter Kevin Harvick led the opening lap in a dead heat against Busch, but it was Busch that dominated most of the opening stint, surging around Harvick’s outside to take the point on the second round.
A scary crash slowed the opening stage on lap 20, after Chase Elliott’s car erupted into flames and was plowed into from behind by Brad Keselowski, causing heavy damage to both machines and eliminating two top contenders from the race.
After pit stops, Harvick reassumed the lead leaving pit road and held the point from Busch following the restart at lap 28, setting the pace until Busch drove back around him at lap 65.
Pit stops began almost immediately after, cycling Danica Patrick to the lead for seven laps before Truex assumed command when Patrick pitted to end the stint of service.
The order remained that way until Busch tracked down Truex and drove by him to win the stage.
Truex hung on for second ahead of Harvick, eight-time Charlotte winner Jimmie Johnson and Matt Kenseth.
Kyle Larson finished sixth in Stage 1 after starting from the rear of the field. He passed 15 cars in the first 10 laps, was in the top 10 by lap 50 and continually worked his way forward over the second half of the stage.
Ryan Blaney, Clint Bowyer, Kurt Busch and Jamie McMurray completed the top 10 and all scored bonus points.
About the Writer
Jacob Seelman is the Managing Editor of Race Chaser Online and creator of the Motorsports Madness radio show, airing at 7 p.m. Eastern every Monday on the Performance Motorsports Network.
Seelman grew up in the sport, watching his grandparents co-own the RaDiUs Motorsports NASCAR Cup Series team in the 1990s.
The 23-year-old is currently studying Broadcast Journalism at Winthrop University in Rock Hill, S.C., and is also serving as the full-time tour announcer for the Must See Racing Sprint Car Series.
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