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Kyle Busch Cruises To Victory At Dover

DOVER, Del. – June 1- Kyle Busch cruised to victory in the “Best Buy 400 Benefiting Student Clubs for Autism Speaks” at Dover International Speedway on Sunday. The race marked the 13th NASCAR Sprint Cup event in 2008.

Driving the Combos Toyota owned by Joe Gibbs Racing, Busch patiently but closely trailed early leaders Greg Biffle and Carl Edwards before maneuvering into the lead midway through the 400 laps. Overall, he led 158 circuits, including the final 74 laps.

Busch won for the first time on the notorious Monster Mile and went to victory lane for the fourth time in 2008. In the three NASCAR series, he has chalked up 10 victories.

For Toyota, the victory completed a weekend sweep – the first time the manufacturer has won three times in as many days.

“We didn’t have the car to beat, as Greg Biffle and Carl Edwards had the best cars,” Busch said in victory lane. “We did know if we could get track position, we could go for the win, and I gave it all I could. This is clearly the crew’s win; I just drove the car that won it.”

Edwards and teammate Biffle dominated the first half of the race before Busch scampered by them. They finished second and third in their Roush Fenway Fords.

Said Edwards, “This is no good and it is not what we came here to do. I wish we could have put on a better show for the fans.”

Biffle’s powerful run was slowed by ignition problems that dropped him from first to third. Also, slow moving track, to include a teammate, contributed to his misery.

“We were good until the engine started missing,” Biffle said. “And we just needed to get the car to turn in the corners, plus you can’t pass with these cars. “Carl (Edwards) and I spent a lot of time behind our teammate, which cost us positions.”

Regarding the cars, he added, “These cars are so aero tight and big that you can’t get close to another car.”

Matt Kenseth put another Roush Fenway Ford into fourth place and he was pleased with his team’s recent progress. “It was a good run for us even though the car got too tight,” the former champion said. “It feels good to be in the top-five”

Jeff Gordon drove consistently to gain a fifth place finish. “We were a distant fifth,” he stated dejectedly. “I was just riding it out to the finish.”

Sixth went to Martin Truex Jr., the last car on the lead lap.

Seventh through tenth were Jimmie Johnson, Jeff Burton, Dave Blaney and Jamie McMurray, in another Roush Fenway Ford.

Busch expanded his Sprint Cup point lead to 142 over Burton. Dale Earnhardt Jr. holds down third place ahead of Edwards, Biffle and Gordon. Johnson, Clint Bowyer, Denny Hamlin, Kevin Harvick, Tony Stewart and Kasey Kahne complete the top-12 in the standings.

Half of the top 12 in the standings had a bad day. Their day went wrong on the 18th lap when a 10-car melee took place. Stewart, Hamlin, Earnhardt, Harvick, Kahne and Bowyer were caught up in a high-speed wreck instigated by Elliott Sadler and David Gilliland.

“I was concentrating on Jeremy Mayfield and didn’t know that Gilliland was going to make it three wide. He got into the back of me, I think,” Sadler said.

The cars of Stewart, Harvick, Sadler and Hamlin were severely damaged with only Stewart and Harvick able to return to action, although they were far off the pace. Earnhardt finished 35th, Harvick 38th and Stewart 41st, 201 laps behind the victor. Hamlin was scored 43rd.

“It is my fault for being anywhere close to Elliott (Sadler),” Stewart said. “If I’m within a half lap of him, I expect that to happen. It’s my fault.”

Added Hamlin, “I feel sorry for Elliott. I came piling in there way late. I can’t say it was anyone’s fault. It’s just tough racing.”

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