Strong Run, Disappointing Finish for Busch
Jul. 17, 2016
Event: New Hampshire 301 (Round 19 of 36)
Series: NASCAR Sprint Cup Series
Location: New Hampshire Motor Speedway in Loudon (1.058-mile oval)
Start/Finish: 4th/22nd (Running, completed 301 of 301 laps)
Point Standing: 3rd (602 points, 34 out of first)
Winner: Matt Kenseth of Joe Gibbs Racing (Toyota)
Kurt Busch, driver of the No. 41 Haas Automation/Monster Energy Chevrolet SS for Stewart-Haas Racing (SHR), had a strong run in the New Hampshire 301 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway in Loudon Sunday, but his 22nd-place finish didn’t reflect the effort of the 2004 Sprint Cup champion and his Tony Gibson-led team.
After starting fourth in the 40-car field, Busch ran in the top-five for much of the 301-lap race despite struggling with handling issues that saw his No. 41 Chevrolet loose entering and exiting the corners while tight in the center. Gibson called for wedge and air pressure adjustments each time Busch came to pit road to keep up with changing track conditions, which enabled him to maintain his presence toward the front of the field.
In the closing laps, Busch was forced into a three-wide battle for position that resulted in contact to his left-rear quarter panel, causing a tire rub. Busch stayed on the racetrack hoping that the rub would go away, but a cut tire resulted with less than 20 laps remaining that led to a pair of unscheduled pit stops. Despite the setback, Busch was able to stay on the lead lap, allowing him to maintain the distinction of being the only driver to have completed every lap run during the 2016 season.
Busch’s teammate Tony Stewart, driver of the No. 14 Haas Automation Chevrolet SS, led the four-car SHR contingent Sunday. It was Stewart’s third top-five result this season and his 15th top-five in 34 career Sprint Cup starts at New Hampshire.
Kevin Harvick, driver of the No. 4 Jimmy John’s Chevrolet SS for SHR, finished fourth. It was his eighth top-five this season and his eighth top-five in 31 career Sprint Cup starts at New Hampshire.
Danica Patrick, driver of the No. 10 Nature’s Bakery Chevrolet SS for SHR, finished 14th.
Matt Kenseth won the New Hampshire 301 by 1.982 seconds over Stewart to score his 38th career Sprint Cup victory, his second of the season and his third at New Hampshire. Joey Logano finished third, while Harvick and Greg Biffle rounded out the top-five. Jamie McMurray, Ryan Newman, Kyle Busch, Denny Hamlin and Ricky Stenhouse Jr. comprised the remainder of the top-10.
There were seven caution periods for 36 laps, with two drivers failing to finish the 301-lap race around the 1.058-mile oval.
With round 19 of 36 complete, Harvick leads SHR and the series in the championship standings. He is first with 636 points, 14 ahead of second-place Brad Keselowski. Kurt Busch is third with 602 points, 34 behind Harvick. Patrick is 24th with 354 points, 134 ahead of 31st. Stewart is 28th with 287 points, 67 ahead of 31st.
Harvick, Busch and Stewart are all eligible to compete in the 16-driver, 10-race Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup, which begins following the Sept. 10 race at Richmond (Va.) International Raceway. All have won a race this season and are among the top-30 in points, the two requirements necessary to secure a spot in the Chase. Patrick can also earn a Chase berth by winning a race and staying inside the top-30. Seven races remain before the Chase begins Sept. 18 at Chicagoland Speedway in Joliet, Illinois.
The next event on the Sprint Cup schedule is the Crown Royal presents the Combat Wounded Coalition 400 at the Brickyard at the famed Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Sunday, July 24. The 23rd running of the event begins at 3 p.m. EDT with live coverage provided by NBCSN.
