As a result, Busch earned his first victory of 2009 in the Sprint Cup Series' Kobalt Tools 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway.
A brush with the wall, potential fuel issues and a two-lap green flag dash to the finish all posed threats to Busch's nearly impeccable day. But in the end, he was left standing in Victory Lane after overcoming Carl Edwards' rush and a hard-charging Jeff Gordon as the checkered flag lifted from the flag stand.
To celebrate? Busch grabbed the checkered flag and proceeded to do a full lap around the Atlanta's tri-oval by driving through his rear-view mirror -- in reverse.
It wasn't a full day of celebrations for Busch, though, despite leading 234 laps of the 330 run at the 1.5-mile track.
When the yellow flag waved on Lap 320 of 325 scheduled laps thanks to a Robby Gordon flat tire, Busch's steady half-second lead over Brian Vickers evaporated. Each of the 12 cars on the lead lap opted to hit pit road for fresh tires and a splash of fuel after the previous green flag run of 53 laps left nearly every car sliding with a lack of grip.
Edwards, fourth at the time of caution, took a gamble for two tires and got off pit road first with Busch and Gordon just behind with four.
When the green flag waved, Edwards tried to jump away as Gordon got a run to the outside of Busch, but Busch closed the door, caught Edwards and completed the pass on the backstretch. On the final lap, Gordon drove deep into turn three hoping to slingshot past Busch, but the Penske Racing No. 2 was simply too good for Gordon to snap his 45-race winless streak.
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ATLANTA - MARCH 08: Fans watch action during the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Kobalt Tools 500 at the Atlanta Motor Speedway on March 8, 2009 in Hampton, Georgia. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
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HAMPTON, GA - MARCH 08: Kurt Busch, driver of the #2 Miller Lite Dodge, celebrates in victory lane after winning the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Kobalt Tools 500 at the Atlanta Motor Speedway on March 8, 2009 in Hampton, Georgia. (Photo by Geoff Burke/Getty Images for NASCAR) *** Local Caption *** Kurt Busch
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HAMPTON, GA - MARCH 08: Kurt Busch, driver of the #2 Miller Lite Dodge, celebrates in victory lane after winning the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Kobalt Tools 500 at the Atlanta Motor Speedway on March 8, 2009 in Hampton, Georgia. (Photo by Geoff Burke/Getty Images for NASCAR) *** Local Caption *** Kurt Busch
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ATLANTA - MARCH 08: Fans watch during the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Kobalt Tools 500 at the Atlanta Motor Speedway on March 8, 2009 in Hampton, Georgia. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
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ATLANTA - MARCH 08: Fans watch during the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Kobalt Tools 500 at the Atlanta Motor Speedway on March 8, 2009 in Hampton, Georgia. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
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ATLANTA - MARCH 08: Brian Vickers, driver of the #83 Red Bull Toyota leads a pack of cars during the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Kobalt Tools 500 at the Atlanta Motor Speedway on March 8, 2009 in Hampton, Georgia. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Brian Vickers
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ATLANTA - MARCH 08: Fans watch during the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Kobalt Tools 500 at the Atlanta Motor Speedway on March 8, 2009 in Hampton, Georgia. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
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A large number of seats remained empty in the Grandstand during the Kobalt Tools 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway in Atlanta, Georgia, on Sunday, March 8, 2009. (Johnny Crawford/Atlanta Journal-Constitution/MCT)
MCT
A large number of seats remained empty in the Grandstand during the Kobalt Tools 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway in Atlanta, Georgia, on Sunday, March 8, 2009. (Johnny Crawford/Atlanta Journal-Constitution/MCT)
MCT
A large number of seats remained empty in the Grandstand during the Kobalt Tools 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway in Atlanta, Georgia, on Sunday, March 8, 2009. (Johnny Crawford/Atlanta Journal-Constitution/MCT)
MCT
With Gordon finishing second and Edwards third, Kevin Harvick jumped to a fourth-place finish and Vickers -- who had a tough time on pit road during the final stop -- came in fifth.
Clint Bowyer, Kasey Kahne, Tony Stewart, Jimmie Johnson and Martin Truex Jr. rounded out the Top 10.
Kyle Busch, winner a week ago at Las Vegas Motor Speedway and the defending winner of Sunday's race from a year ago, never was a factor and wound up three laps down in 18th.
Pole-sitter Mark Martin desperately needed a dose of good luck after two straight engine failures dropped him to 34th in points, but a blown right rear tire sent to the No. 5 into the turn two wall and left him 14 laps off the pace in 31st.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
3-08-2009 @ 7:44PM
CJ said...
Well, at least it's better than Kyle Busch. Im not a big Kurt fan but he's apparently been under a better influence with Penske instead of Roush and showed signs of maturity since being in the 2 car.
Reply
3-08-2009 @ 10:05PM
Welcome Paradise said...
Actually, it is called a "Polish Victory Lap".
It became popular when the late Alan Kulwicki would do a reverse victory lap. When Kulwicki died in a plane crash outside of Bristol,TN all of the drivers for the next couple of years would do the "Polish Victory lap" in honor of the Champion Alan Kulwicki.
Reply
3-09-2009 @ 7:09AM
obamaizadope said...
chrysler bought the race with taxpayer bailout funds..seriously, when is the last time dodge was a serious contender?
Reply
3-10-2009 @ 12:38PM
cheryl said...
Unfortunately, there are only 7 Dodges in the field, highly out numbered by all the others.
3-09-2009 @ 7:25AM
Kim said...
Although I was heavily pulling for a Jeff Gordon win, I was mighty impressed with Kurt's driving and eventual win. Kurt was flawless and it showed. Has he matured as a person and a driver, most definitely. He drove a clean race and dominated the field. There was no question about the fairness of this win and Kurt's talent. His comments after the race also showed maturity on Kurt's part. He's certainly come a long way from his days of arguing with almost every other driver on the track, especially Tony Stewart.
Congratulations to Kurt Busch and a congratulations to Jeff Gordon, too! The Gordon of yester year definitely is showing up for races this season. His charge toward the front during the green white checker was impressive to say the least. He passed Edwards cleanly and perfectly. I really thought he had something for Kurt, too.
Gordon is definitely on the right track. It won't be long before he breaks that winless streak.
Kim
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3-09-2009 @ 8:49AM
Jan said...
Great for you Kurt, take the victory lap backwards if you want. Your wife seems to be so gracious and not want to hog the camera shots (Kyle are you listening to this) but I still think it is dangerous for women to be in the pit area. I can't tell you how wonderful it was to see you in the winner's circle.
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3-16-2009 @ 12:18PM
KiKi said...
I was so thrilled to see Kurt dominate at Atlanta. I have been a true "Blue" Kurt Busch fan since 2003 and it makes me even more proud to be a diehard fan when he does things like he did at Atlanta. I defintely have to agree that he has matured alot since moving to Penske. Now if we could just get little brother to do the same but it'll happen eventually......well, there is the possibility that he could never mature, like Mr. Stewart but I have faith that Kyle will grow up, sooner than later or never.
Again, way to go Kurt on your win!!
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