After an odd Daytona race weekend, the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series moved on to Kentucky Speedway for the Quaker State 400. The past two races here have been dominated by Martin Truex Jr, who was the favorite coming into the race this weekend.
Daniel Suarez was the pole sitter, with a car that was incredibly fast in the first stage of the race and allowing him to lead the first 46 six laps. A caution came out on lap 46 when Chase Elliott blew a tire and released debris onto the race track. Brad Keselowski and Kyle Busch made up the front row on the restart, but they were quickly overtaken by Kurt Busch. After two quick cautions on laps 53 and 62, Kurt Busch was able to settle into the lead and beat Joey Logano on the restart after the Landon Cassill caution for the stage one victory.
Ricky Stenhouse Jr did not pit under the stage break and led the field to the green flag to begin stage two. On lap 104, Kyle Busch passed Stenhouse Jr for the lead after working his up through the top-five. The field began to move through green-flag stops, and Busch cycled back into the lead after a fuel-only stop. Without any issues, Kyle Busch won stage two and set his sights towards the checkered flag at the end of the race.
Clint Bowyer did not pit under the stage break and restarted the final stage with the lead. On lap 178, a caution came involving Jimmie Johnson. Clint Bowyer continued to lead the race on the restart but had Kurt Busch right behind him. On lap 205, Clint Bowyer came down pit road for a scheduled green-flag stop. Kurt Busch took over as race leader. Kurt Busch came down pit road a few laps later, and Kyle Busch retook the race lead.
Joey Logano cycled into the race lead and held over a one-second lead over Kyle Busch with only ten laps remaining in the race. Right when the race looked over, Bubba Wallace blew a tire and spun around in turn one bringing out the caution.
This led to an overtime restart with Kyle Busch and Joey Logano on the front row. Kurt Busch jumped to outside and took Logano and his brother three-wide into turn one. The three drivers drag raced each other down the backstretch into turn three. Joey Logano moved out of the gas as both Busch brothers moved into first and second place. The two brothers were side drafting each other and not wanting to give up an inch. After the two made contact into turns three and four, Kurt Busch moved into the front and was able to bring home the win. Kurt Busch wins the battle of the brothers and the Quaker State 400 at Kentucky Speedway.
It was a more exciting and dramatic race at Kentucky Speedway than in years past. The last two years, Martin Truex Jr. virtually led the whole race without any issues. Saturday night’s race had constant drama. Early in stage one, Daniel Suarez had to battle lapped traffic and continue to hold a slim lead. Then Kurt Busch made a fuel-only pit stop and gambled his way into the race lead. In stage two, Kyle Busch moved his way from the sixth position into the lead after battling every guy in his way for position. Then the dramatic ending between the two brothers was the icing on the cake. Saturday night’s race packed a lot of action into a 400-mile race.
Next week’s race is at New Hampshire Motor Speedway for the Foxwoods Resort Casino 301. Kevin Harvick won this race last year after the bump and run move on Kyle Busch. After a dramatic finish at Kentucky Speedway, the field will head to New Hampshire for what is sure to be another exciting race.