Kurt Busch had never won at his home track — Las Vegas Motor Speedway — in 21-previous starts. That all changed Sunday night in the NASCAR Cup Series South Point 400.
“This is what kids dream of when they grow up racing,” an emotional Busch said. “You grow up dreaming of winning at your home town track, and for two decades it’s kicked my butt. Tonight, this Monster Energy Chevy, I’m in awe, I knew the race would come to us.”
Busch, 42, was masterful as he held off Matt DiBenedetto in a wild overtime finish. Following the race, Busch climbed on top of the hood of his No. 1 Chevrolet Camaro and then climbed down and grabbed the checkered flag.
This win advances Busch to the Round of 8 in the 2020 NCS Playoffs.
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DiBenedetto was looking for the 100th win for the Wood Brothers Racing team, and it would have been his first-career victory. However, he came up just a little shy. DiBenedetto will know by October 1st if the Wood Brothers opt to pick up his contract option for 2021.
Denny Hamlin, who won Stage 1 and led a race-high 121 laps finished third after a mistimed caution late in the race jumbled the running order.
Alex Bowman came home fifth after a very impressive run.
Kyle Busch, Ryan Blaney, Erik Jones, Chris Buescher and Kevin Harvick rounded out the top-10 finishers in the race.
Aric Almirola (17th), Chase Elliott (22nd) and Austin Dillon (32nd) were the Playoff drivers who finished outside the top-15.
Here is the updated 2020 NCS Playoff Grid With two races left in the Round of 12:
- Kurt Busch (Locked in by way of win)
- Kevin Harvick, +61 points
- Denny Hamlin, +58
- Brad Keselowski, +16
- Martin Truex Jr., +15
- Joey Logano, +11
- Chase Elliott, +10
- Alex Bowman, +9
—Cut Line—
9. Kyle Busch, -9
10. Clint Bowyer, -20
11. Aric Almirola, -27
12. Austin Dillon, -32
Post-Race Stat Pack:
