Busch's win in the Joe Gibbs Racing No. 11 secured him as the youngest winner in the history of the 58-year-old speedway.
In the prerace ceremonies, Busch was heckled by Dale Earnhardt Jr. fans angry about last week's incident between the two at Richmond. Busch played right along as he waved his hands, cupped his ear to hear the crowd, and pretended to cry on his pre-race ride along tour. ThatsRacin' even says he flipped off a crew member from the No. 88.
All of that, of course, was before the green flag. Greg Biffle led the field to the green and proceeded to lead 95 laps before suffering a loose wheel and then a broken timing belt.
Busch began to take over his assault on the field after that point -- despite having problems with lug nuts during pit stops that even garnered the No. 18 a penalty.
Impressively enough, Busch's win was his eighth of the NASCAR season in all three national touring divisions, and also gave the driver an extending point lead in the Sprint Cup.
Carl Edwards came home second, Jeff Gordon third, Dale Earnhardt Jr. fourth, and David Ragan a surprising fifth.
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Reader Comments ( Page 1 of 6)
1. NOTHING CAN STOP KYLE BUSH FOR THE REST OF THE RSCING SEASON.(PERIOD).
The kid is flaming,FAST, SCARELESS, AGGRESSIVE, DETERMINED. He did not wreck the most popular driver in nascar for nothing, even tough i still believe, it was a common racing accident.On the track i defenetely see the next intimidator,no many doubts. OFF THE TRACK, I see a common 23 kid. That's all. The future and the age can of course change thinks. We will see?. Works for me.
Posted at 1:23AM on May 11th 2008 by anzajoe
2. Kyle Busch has learned some valuable lessons since this season started. He's learned to enjoy the freedom his new ride brings,the freedom to be himself and the freedom to pursue his talent to the max. He's learned the best way to silence your critics is to make them eat their words by becoming a winner. He's always been a winner, but now at last, he has the support of a team that accepts him and believes in him, while providing him with the means to display his skill. A team player...not the best, a nice guy....doubtful, but he's still young, a hot head....without a doubt, a race car driver...beyond question. Like him or hate him...you may as well get used to him, He's here, he's for real, and he's setting marks that in all probability will never be matched again. So settle in, buckle up, and let's enjoy the ride. Works for me....
Posted at 2:05AM on May 11th 2008 by Don Emerson
3. we have learned that toyota has a big hp advantage on the field . make the cars equeal right now they are not equeal
Posted at 6:26AM on May 11th 2008 by art
4. boring another jap car parade
Posted at 6:26AM on May 11th 2008 by art
5. Kyle Busch is talented and the Gibbs toyotas are dominant right now but the kid is obnoxious. Here is a thought for my fellow JR nation, instead of booing Busch how about absolute silence. Athletes would rather be cheered or booed than to hear silence. You want to express your dislike and get under his skin silence will do more than booing. All the boos are doing is encouraging him. GO JR
Posted at 6:45AM on May 11th 2008 by Michelle Wilson
6. The Toyota HP advantage certainly wasn't evident last season, Art. Wonder what amazing changes NASCAR allowed them to make to become so dominant this year? Hmmmm...could it be the drivers? Just a thought.
Posted at 8:30AM on May 11th 2008 by RacinJason
7. Kyle Busch is and will remain one of the best RACE CAR DRIVERS IN THE NASCAR circuit. Love him or hate him you have to deal with him, every driver has to account for where he is on the race track to compete. I think your Toyota advantage theory will evaporate if you do a little reseach ART but I don't think you can handle the truth. KYLE BUSCH, YOU ARE THE MAN!!! TAKE A BOW!
Posted at 9:19AM on May 11th 2008 by Bernie
8. Kyle Bush to me drives a stock car the way it should be. He will do what ever it takes to win. This is the way it was years ago. All the other drivers need to go to the open wheel racing where they will not hit each other. I am sure all you remember how the man in black did. People respected him and I belive people will respect Kyle here soon.
Posted at 10:07AM on May 11th 2008 by Ted Cornelius
9. People knew this kid was good before Hendrick got rid of him. Jr. won early in his career because his dad at the time still had a hand in decisions in DEI. He made sure Jr. had the best in the business when it came to superspeedway engines..This kid Busch has been consistently around the front of the pack everywhere he has raced.
Posted at 10:12AM on May 11th 2008 by Smitty
10. Kyle is racing like Dale Sr. did, TO WIN. To me all the Dale Jr. fans see in Kyle how Dale Sr. raced. I still don't understand how Dale Sr. left most of DEI to his second wife. To me, he should have left a big majority to his children, Dale Jr. and his Sister. I'm a Tony Stewart fan but I feel sorry for Dale Jr. and his Sister as thier Father screwed them both when he Passed on.
Posted at 11:42AM on May 11th 2008 by Dick
11. Kyle Busch, you are the winner! A winner is a winner! You did it again! Take a Bow!
Posted at 11:45AM on May 11th 2008 by kimmy
12. another american company selling out to the japs
Posted at 12:25PM on May 11th 2008 by art
13. hey there ART you just now hearing about the HP advantage to toyota it was well know back before the start of the season. which is one reason i take in less NASCAR its bullcrap!
Posted at 1:09PM on May 11th 2008 by doug
14. I THINK SOMEONE PUNCHES KYLE BUSH IN THE NOSE LIKE THEY HAD TO DO KURT THEN HE WILL RESPECT THE OTHER DRIVERS OLDER AND YOUNGER. IF HE WAS NOT ON AN EGO TRIP HE COULD BECOME LIKEABLE. HE ALWASY'S SHOWS HIS MUCLES AND SAY HEY LOOK AT ME. HE NEEDS TO REMEMBER THERE R OTHER DRIVERS OUT THERE TOO!
Posted at 3:47PM on May 11th 2008 by rbrtshlf9
15. Wow, like him or not, what a great race. They interviewed one of the top 5 drivers after the race that said "you just could not pass out there." Well Kyle Busch had no problem passing all night long. And neither did Tony Stewart. Had TS not been wrecked in lap 3 we would have seen a race dominated by JGR. 17 wins in less than four years. The guy is hot, no doubt about it. I am not a fan yet but damn this kid can drive.
MBL
Posted at 4:49PM on May 11th 2008 by Mike
16. I agree Mike, the guy has more talent than he knows what to do with and will be a pain to 42 other drivers most of the time. He needs to get over the HMS deal that still bothers him and move on. I give him an A+ on driving and a D- on maturity.
Ron
Posted at 5:35PM on May 11th 2008 by drgrcr601
17. Wow what another out standing DAY FOR KYLE!!! He has the B*lls to get out there and stand on it and drive that car just like it shold be drove.The couple of time I seen him hit the wall I thought oh no it's over,but he keep on DIGGIN....Way to go Kyle...
Thanks for the WIN,I found My POPS Passed away Yesterday I was very Sad but with your WIN He would of wanted it that way!!!!! (-.-)
Posted at 6:44PM on May 11th 2008 by Peaches
18. Well it appears the split may not have been as mutual as I had thought it was. As well as he is doing I see no reason for him to have any hard feelings over the issue. He is certainly on his way to having a great year. Maybe Tony Stewart could mentor him and teach him how he became more of a human being this year. Maybe it is just me but TS seems to be smiling more this year.
On a related note, I would be interested in any more info on TS and his contract negotiations if you have any, Geoffrey.
MBL
Posted at 6:48PM on May 11th 2008 by Mike
19. I guess this jack-ass has to kill or hurt someone before the big-wigs do something. There's a big difference in being aggressive and dangerous.
Posted at 8:03PM on May 11th 2008 by Al
20. I will admit that Kyle can drive.
It is difficult to think of Kyle Busch as wearing the black hat in Nascar tho. Black hat people are supposed to be manly and cool.
Posted at 8:10PM on May 11th 2008 by Susan Ohio