By Joe Dunn
In a typical Bristol beating and banging race, Kyle Busch grabbed his second win of the weekend in the Food City 250 at Bristol Motor Speedway. The race had an exciting 8 cautions for 48 laps with a spectacular incident with Kasey Kahne.
Elliot Sadler started on the pole but quickly relinquished the lead to Joey Logano on the very first lap. Logano fought off teammate Kyle Busch for the first 30 laps before giving way to the 18 car. Series points leader Brad Keselowski battled with the lead cars, finally getting past Busch for the lead on lap 58, following pits stops on the first caution of the race. But he would only hold the lead for 4 laps before Busch edged past him on lap 62.
On lap 82, Justin Allgaier got together with Trevor Bayne, Allgaier went high and apparently was unaware that Kasey Kahne was on the outside. The #12 of Allgaier forced the #38 of Kahne against the wall, which led to Kahne’s car climbing the wall riding about a quarter way around the track with the right side wheels atop the wall. Kahne merged from the car unhurt as the TV reporters likened the ride to a Joey Chitwood type stunt. Referring to the famous auto thrill shows of the 1960’s and 70’s. The damage ended the night for Kahne, but Allgaier and Bayne would both continue.
The third caution of the night flew on lap 118 as Ryan Newman crashed in turn one, ending the night for the #1 Phoenix Construction Chevrolet. During the caution, Brad Keselowski stayed out to take the lead, but Carl Edwards on 2 tires quickly took the lead, only to lose it 9 laps later to Sadler. Clint Bowyer would take his turn leading 7 laps before Brad Keselowski would take over once again on lap 162.
The next 50 laps would lead to fierce competition between Keselowski and Busch until lap 219 as Busch would edge past Keselowski for the lead. After Busch cleared the #22 car, Keselowski rammed Busch getting him loose and pulling back in the lead. But as Keselowski attempted to clear Busch, Kyle repaid the Brad with the same tap. This one sent Keselowski spinning and ended his chances for a win.
Following Busch across the finish line was Jason Leffler, with Elliott Sadler, Dale Earnhardt Jr and Carl Edwards in fifth. Finishing sixth was Trevor Bayne, followed by Clint Bowyer, Reed Sorenson, Parker Kligerman and Joey Logano rounding out the top 10. Points leader Keselowski finished 14th, narrowing his lead over Edwards to 313 points. The #22 car is now 73 points behind the #18 in owners points.
After the race Keselowski sparred no time badmouthing Busch for turning him and it appears that Busch now joins Carl Edwards on that list of drivers to beware of Brad. Brad claimed that Busch was taking advantage of Brad’s being on probation. When asked to respond to Keselowski’s comments Busch simply stated that drivers are merely racing Brad as he races everyone else. Elliott Sadler was not so kind, indicating that Keselowski was about to have problems with many more drivers if he didn’t change his attitude and driving style.
We will all have to watch the Irwin Tools Night Race to see if any retaliation should come there.
