Busch gets flat, Kenseth soars at Darlington
DARLINGTON, S.C. — Kyle Busch’s flat tire with two laps left sent Matt Kenseth to his first Nationwide Series victory of the season — and capped a record-setting day at Darlington Raceway.
Busch led 143 laps and looked like he would ease to victory Friday night. But a late collision between Scott Legasse Jr. and Joe Nemechek brought out the race’s 10th caution and set up a two-lap sprint to the finish.
That’s when Busch’s spotter noticed his right rear tire was flat, apparently because his car ran over debris. Busch tested the tire for several laps before rolling into the pits to loud cheers from Darlington fans.
Kenseth, who earlier set a track record to win the Southern 500 pole, still faced a green-white-checkered finish. That, too, went Kenseth’s way when Morgan Shepherd spun out on the restart, ending the race.
Jason Leffler finished second, followed by Carl Edwards, and Nationwide rookies Erik Darnell and Justin Allgaier.
Busch wound up 16th, a disheartening finish to what figured to be his third straight NASCAR win after last week’s sweep at Richmond.
Busch did not speak to the media after the race, jumping on a golf cart and pulling away. His crew chief, Jason Ratcliff, said the team was disappointed by the dramatic turn. “But hey, that’s part of this sport,” Ratcliff said.
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