The NASCAR Xfinity came to play at Indianapolis Motor Raceway on Saturday afternoon on a hot summer day. Before the race took place, there were heat races and Dash 4 Cash to be determined. Kyle Busch led all 20 laps to win heat race no.1, with Daniel Suarez and Elliott Sadler being the first two qualifying for the Dash 4 Cash. Erik Jones did the same as Busch and won heat race no.2. Justin Allgaier and heat race winner Jones transferred to the Dash 4 Cash.
Onto the main event, Kyle Busch and Erik Jones led the field down into turn 1. Busch was able to jump out in front and take the lead, but Kyle Larson in second kept close behind. But Busch started to check out from Larson, and while that was happening Jones was trying to pass Larson for second. While Busch was set on cruise control there were reports of debris on his grill. Indeed the reports were true, and a few laps later another piece of paper was on the front end. On lap 17, Jones finally passed Larson for second.
Green flag pit stops began on lap 22, as Joey Logano pits for four tires and fuel. Soon after, Larson pitted on lap 26, along with Harvick, and Jones. Race leader Kyle Busch made his pit stop one lap later. Busch got ahead of a closing Erik Jones to recycle back into the lead down the backstretch. Busch continued to set a blistering pace by only having 14 cars on the lead lap with 24 to go. 19 to go, teammate Erik Jones hit the wall in turn 4 and cut a right rear tire. He was able to come down pit road and not bring out the caution. Although problems continued for Jones, as he spun out in turn 1 a few laps later and brought out the first caution.
There were different strategies playing out with the teams in order to beat Busch. Busch stayed out and the rest of the lead lap cars pitted. Restart with 7 to go, Busch was able to pull ahead of those with fresher tires, but another caution came out on the same lap. Ray Black Jr in 07 and Harrison Rhodes in the 13, collided with each other off turn 2 causing heavy damage to both.
With a long cleanup, NASCAR ruled this would be a overtime finish. Meaning the field had to race to the overtime line, and if a caution had come out the race would be over. This was not the case as Busch held off Kevin Harvick for his third career win at Indianapolis.
Busch led twice for 62 laps en route to his 82nd career win.
There were 2 cautions that slowed the pace for 10 laps.
Justin Allgaier won the Dash 4 Cash.
The NASCAR Xfinity Series heads to Iowa Speedway next Saturday night.
No comments:
Post a Comment