BRISTOL, Tenn. — Kyle Busch got his quest for a win in his final NASCAR Camping World Truck Series start of the season off to a flying start Wednesday night at Bristol Motor Speedway, leading every lap in the opening stage of the UNOH 200.
Busch went unchallenged over the first 55 laps, cruising away from rookie teammate Noah Gragson en route to his ninth stage win this year and fifth in a row.
‘Rowdy’ led the field to the green flag from the pole and quickly opened up a two second advantage as his trucks occupied the top three positions early, with Gragson and Christopher Bell sitting second and third behind their boss.
A knock to the Turn 4 wall by Josh Reaume flipped the caution lights for the first time at lap 25, setting up a restart four laps later in which the KBM trucks held serve. However, a subsequent spin by T.J. Bell on the 33rd round drew the yellow flag for a second time, allowing the rest of the field to learn and pounce.
Restarting on lap 39, Matt Crafton broke up the KBM party by passing Bell for third, but no one had anything for Busch as he drove out to a 1.575 second margin over Gragson at the green-checkered flag.
Gragson fended off Crafton for the runner-up spot and the distinction of highest-finishing series regular at the stage break, followed by Bell and Grant Enfinger.
Toyota Tundras swept the first five positions in the opening stage.
Brandon Jones marked the highest-placed Chevrolet in sixth, ahead of Ben Rhodes, Johnny Sauter, Justin Haley and Parker Kligerman, who all scored bonus points in the stage by finishing in the top 10.
The pair of Brad Keselowski Racing Ford F-150s struggled during the first 55 laps, with Austin Cindric and Chase Briscoe finishing 17th and 22nd, respectively.
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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