By Seth Eggert, NASCAR Writer
CONCORD, N.C. – Defending Sprint Cup Series Champion, Kyle Busch, made his second NASCAR Camping World Truck Series appearance in the North Carolina Education Lottery 200 at Charlotte. Busch had won his five previous starts at Charlotte. After not being happy with his truck in the only practice session on Thursday, Busch quickly worked his way up to the top five.
After the competition caution, Busch took the lead from rookie Rico Abreu. Busch held onto the lead until Daniel Hemric began to battle him for the top spot. Hemric eventually got along side Busch. The two drivers dueled, with Busch sliding his truck to stay off of Hemric’s. Busch reclaimed the lead just before the time ran out for the caution clock.
Although Busch had a good pit stop, he was penalized for an uncontrolled tire. Busch restarted outside the top 25 and slowly worked his way up to 21st before having to slow to avoid the spinning truck of Christopher Bell.
Twenty laps after receiving the penalty, Busch had climbed up from 21st to the 10th position. Busch’s climb through the field slowed as he began to have to weave his way through the trucks of Cole Custer, John Hunter Nemechek, and Spencer Gallagher.
As Busch continued to move up through the field, it became apparent the the race may become a fuel mileage race. As some began to save fuel, Busch finally broke back into the top five with just 20 laps to go.
After pitting for fuel, Busch cycled back into the second position, but nearly six seconds behind Matt Crafton. Busch ended the day in second. This is the first time that Busch has finished second to Crafton.
Busch said about his day, “Our truck was good early on. The first half of the race we were pretty good. Second half, something happened. We got in traffic after that bad pit stop where we go the penalty. We were super, super tight. Something broke on the truck. It was just laying on the splitter.”
Busch now looks ahead to the Sprint All-Star race later tonight, where he will be piloting the No. 75 M&M’s Toyota Camry.
Image: Brian Lawdermilk/NASCAR via Getty Images
