Photo Credit: Jonathan Moore/Getty Images North America
Kurt Busch, driver of the No. 41 Haas Automation/Monster Energy Chevrolet, battled back for a third place finish in the Food City 500 at Bristol Motor Speedway.
While the Stewart=Haas Racing driver was able to qualify 26th for the start of the race, he would fall back deep in the field on the start as Dale Earnhardt Jr., driver of the No 88. Hendrick Motosports Chevrolet, stalled.
“We just battled through it,” he said. “Junior had trouble at the start and I was 40th when we started the race.”
He was able to fight his way back up the field, taking the lead on Lap 356. He then ran in the top-five the rest of the race and took home a third place finish when the checkered flags flew at the end.
“One car at a time,” he said. “One set of tires at a time. And then we were in great position around Lap 350. We got the lead from (Carl) Edwards for a little bit. And we just kept working on it. And there’s nothing more I could have gotten out of the car. I’m really happy with the way that everybody worked together. I shouldn’t be happy about finishing third, but I’ll take it.”
Next up for the Las Vegas native is the Toyota Owners 400, at Richmond International Raceway, where at the Virginia track in 30 starts he has 11 top-10’s, six top-fives and two wins. The race is Sunday April 24th.
