Kyle Busch won the NASCAR Nationwide series Federated Auto Parts 300 at the Nashville Superspeedway.
Busch who has dominated the last six series events by leading the most laps has been plagued by a series of late race circumstance that kept him and his Joe Gibbs Racing team out of victory lane with just one win in the last five events.
That streak was broken last night as Busch, who started from the pole again out paced the competition by leading 173 of the 225 scheduled laps.
Last years winner Brad Keselowski was making ground on Busch in the closing circuits but Busch held on to win by a 0.891 second margin to take his fourth win of the season and twenty fifth of his career.
Busch celebrated his win in true rock and roll fashion.
His trademark burnout took it up a notch as something ignited in the rear end of the car providing pyrotechnics and smoke for the crowd making it seem more like a KISS concert than a stock car race.
Not to be outdone by the car, Busch then went to victory lane to receive the hand pained Gibson guitar that is given as the winner’s trophy.
Bush went old school and did his best “Who” imitation by breaking the guitar.
In a truly awkward moment Busch was later asked to pose for a picture with artist Sam Bass who created the one of a kind trophy.
“When I took a picture with Kyle”, “the first thing he said to me was that there was no disrespect to me, the trophy, the speedway or any of the sponsors,” Bass said.
Busch explained his behavior by stating he promised the crew they could each have a piece of the guitar noting “Ozzy’s done it, right?” Quipped Busch.
We can all be thankful that the track does not present race winners with live animals.
Coming in behind Busch were Brad Keselowski, Carl Edwards, Mike Bliss and Jason Leffler.
The stand alone event was a showcase for upcoming talent for many of the major teams.
Brad Coleman returned to Joe Gibbs Racing finishing tenth.
Roush Racing gave the wheel to Ricky Stenhouse Jr. Stenhouse had a rough outing wrecking his primary car in practice a loosing control during the race causing a multi-car incident on lap 126 taking out Richard Childress Racing’s Sean Caisse and MWR’s Trevor Bayne.
The incident also put Cale Gale, driving for Kevin Harvick Incorporated behind the wall. This was Gale’s only scheduled opportunity to showcase his talent before heading to Canada to compete north of the border.
Erik Darnell was the top rookie in the race finishing ninth.
There were 12 lead changes among 8 drivers.
The event saw four caution flags including a red flag for track clean up after a multi-car wreck in turn four.
The two drivers on top of the championship points standing were the only double duty drivers in the event. Both Kyle Busch and Carl Edwards flew back east after the event to prepare for the Sprint Cup series race in Pocono, PA.
Busch remains on top of the point standings 65 markers ahead of Edwards. as the series prepares to head to Kentucky next week.
Race Notes
Kyle Busch has surpassed 1100 laps led for the 2009 season.
Some people like me would give just about anything to have a Gibson Les Paul. To see Kyle destroy something that he has no idea how much its worth like a Les Paul makes me sick to my stomach. Yes, he can drive, but he sure does some idiotic things.
Kyle Busch should be fined and suspended, I will make a concerted effort to shun his sponsers until they have admonished Busch…..What an ignorant [censored] ….
If he didn’t care about the guitar why didn’t he refuse it. He seems to be having a tantram on and off the track all the time. Maybe he needs to grow up.
As a citizen of Nashville, and being in attendance for Saturday nights race, I have to say that what Kyle Busch did in Victory Lane was the most disrespectful slap in the face to the city of Nashville and to the fans of NASCAR. While I certainly agree that the guitar is not the holy grail of trophies, it is representative of Music City and very special in our eyes. To witness someone take a gift that was given to the winner and smash it on the ground was truly insulting.
Having watched the race first hand, you would not believe how he got around the track, and Kyle is truly a talented driver. However, his arrogance, lack of respect, and disdain for those of us who pay a crap load of money to see him and 42 other drivers race completely takes away from his god given talent as a racer. Over the last year, I have heard people compare him to Dale Earnhardt Sr., and I just shudder. Can you imagine Dale Sr. doing something that disrespectful to the fans of Nashville? Certainly not. Kyle is no man, and his daddy should be ashamed of him. I know as a Nascar fan, I am terribly ashamed that he is in our sport. I am also embarrassed that a class act like Joe & JD Gibbs support & acquiesce to someone so low class like Kyle Busch.
What happened in Victory Lane Saturday was disdainful and Dover Motorsports should refuse to have a new trophy made. In fact, they should ban him from all future Nashville races until he apologizes to the Speedway, it’s employees and fans. And anyone that laugh it off as no big deal should rethink your stance. What would you say if someone took something special to you and threw it on the ground right in front of your eyes? You would be p***** too.
Greg, I whole heartedly agree with everything you said above. I too was there, in victory lane with my camera poised ready to take my usual victory lane celebration photos. I froze with my camera by my face, in shock! I didn’t take one photo of the bashing, I couldn’t, I was physically in shock and sick to my stomach. I was angry, hurt, and felt saddened for Sam Bass as he looked on while his beautiful work of art was destroyed.
I left victory lane, not taking my usual photos. I just could not take photos of a man after he disrespected the entire track and citizens of Nashville.
It’s sad when you don’t care what kind of publicity you get, good or bad, just so you get it, just for the sake of being famous. Well, I’m not impressed. I’m still sickened and in shock two days later….
This is to Mr. Joe Gibbs. Would you have allowed one of your football players to smash your Super Bowl trophy? NO, you would not. Kyle Busch should be made to apologize to the fans of Nascar and especially those in Nashville. He should pay Mr.Bass for the destroyed guitar and be suspended for the rest of the year.
Kyle’s action is so lame! I’ve seen it on news in different channels and was disgusted as well at what he did. If that’s how his victory and achievements’ effect on him, i sure do hope somebody can make him lose next time. He’s a pure excuse of a person, i guess many advertisers would pull out. Good for him! Somebody should teach him some manners.
Celebrating by smashing a signiture guitar trophie after his win @ Nashville leads me to question his ability to think clearly. Considering his dangerous actions while driving his car in victory lane Nascar should have insisted on drug testing.