A caution for BJ McLeod slamming into the wall resulted in Stage 2 of the Bojangles Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway ending under caution, but Kyle Busch had a comfortable lead before that occurred.
Busch, driving Bobby Hillin Jr.’s 1990 Snickers paint scheme, led 41 of the 100 laps in Stage 2 to take the Stage victory. Busch of course, started from the rear of the field after changing an engine following qualifying on Saturday.
Busch’s older brother Kurt, who won Stage 1, came home second in Stage 2.
Denny Hamlin, Erik Jones and Kyle Larson finished third through fifth.
Clint Bowyer and Jimmie Johnson, who are in the midst of a battle for the final Playoff spots, had a hell of a battle toward the end of the Stage. Ultimately, Bowyer prevailed in finishing sixth, while Johnson was seventh.
William Byron, Brad Keselowski and Kevin Harvick rounded out the top-10 finishers in Stage 2.
Daniel Suarez also made contact with Ryan Newman around the mid-way point of the Stage as well. The contact sent Newman spinning, but he was able to avoid serious damage. Newman has vowed to exact revenge when he finds Suarez on the track.
The two, along with Johnson and Bowyer, are battling for the final three Playoff berths. Suarez ended Stage 2 in 14th and Newman was 21st.
