Mike Bliss Wins Another at Lowe's in Rain-Shortened Nationwide Series Race

CONCORD, N.C. - Mike Bliss has again found some tremendous success at the only track in NASCAR's Nationwide Series he's ever won at.

Five years after scoring his first career Nationwide win at Lowe's Motor Speedway, Bliss used a bit of pit road luck, a timely caution and an even more timely rain shower to win the delayed and shortened Carquest 300 that say yours truly and thousands of others walk out thoroughly soaked.

The win, and the right-time-and-right-place racing luck, also gave his Phoenix Racing team their second surprise win in a month in NASCAR competition.

Phoenix, owned by longtime NASCAR figure James Finch, also pulled into Sprint Cup victory lane at Talladega Superspeedway back in April with rookie Brad Keselowski behind the wheel.

But Saturday night, Bliss was hardly a factor until Kevin Hamlin slapped the wall in turn three before coming to a halt in turn four at the end of the race's second round of green flag pit stops. Bliss's No. 1 car was the only car left on the lead lap.

When the race restarted, Bliss started well back in the pack because he hit pit lane during the yellow flag period, allowing the race's previous leaders to cycle in front of him but not in front of the pace car. That put several drivers on the tail end of the lead lap and hoping a caution would come out soon thereafter to allow them to cycle around the the track under caution and back to Bliss' rear bumper instead of on the front of it.

Brendan Gaughan also benefited from the caution. Because his No. 62 was listed as the first car one lap down under caution, he received the free pass and actually passed Bliss after the restart. Bliss, though, got back around the No. 62 and the rain fell just thereafter to bring the race to a red flag.

Less than a half hour later and NASCAR nearly bringing the cars back on-track before a cloud again opened up on the track, Bliss was declared the winner.

If you followed the sporadic updates on our Twitter feed, you knew that Kyle Busch easlly had the car to beat. Busch qualified second in the race but was forced to start at the back thanks to an engine change. It was no matter for the No. 18 car with a driver who had won the previous two Nationwide Series races at LMS.

On the first lap, Busch powered to the outside in his now-trademark style and grabbed nine spots before seeing the flagstand again. Within a handful, he had picked up 15 spots before finding himself in the Top-5 before the first pit stop.

After the stops, Busch drove to the front and didn't look back until his car started to fade before what ended up being the race's final pit stop. Brian Vickers then caught and passed Busch and led briefly before heading to pit road. Vickers' No. 32 appeared to be about the only car that could challenge Busch's No. 18 that led the race's most laps.

Busch and Vickers wound up third and fourth, with Joey Logano finishing 5th.

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

5-24-2009 @ 2:31AM

CJ said...

It's a great day when Kyle Busch gets screwed! As much as i would've like to have seen Dale Jr get back on the lead lap and possibly get a top ten, since he's just going for wins, it doesn't really matter, and if it'll cost Kyle another win, it's great, although i wanted to see if he was going to throw his usually fit and piss and moan and stomp off like a childish brat, which he's use to doing when he doesn't get his way!

5-24-2009 @ 4:05AM

nzcr14 said...

i THINK THE KYLIE IS GETTING OUT OF THAT STAGE BJ.
Looks like he is growing up a little slowly but surely.NEVERTHELESS HIS TALENT IS UNDOUBTFULL you may agree. ciao.

5-24-2009 @ 7:17AM

james said...

i don't think kyle is that bad, they all have phases they go thru. the first 3 or 4 years of his career tony stewart was and unholy terror, they are times i thought he would go to jail or get shot by and angry fan, and let's not forget little e's gangsta racer phase, you know hat backwards rollin' with his "DMP" or kevin harvick and his shenanigans. all 3 of this drivers have a large fanbase and are for the most part respected drivers now.

5-24-2009 @ 8:50AM

roosmccy said...

do everyone love a winner or a name.may lead a lap and may not never win .how low can you go.i dont under stand .the stand go crazy,88

5-24-2009 @ 8:56AM

what can 88 do beside sell items

5-24-2009 @ 9:04AM

what so great about ,88. a great name.

5-24-2009 @ 9:19AM

Jan said...

I felt bad for Kyle because he had such a good race going for him. I think his actions are only motivated by the need to win or heart, as somebody called it. Don't be so hard on him, the other drivers pitch their fits too and nobody thinks twice about it. You can't fault somebody for merely having a strong will to win. That the race was terminated by weather, he would have won given the chance.

5-24-2009 @ 12:50PM

kenneth said...

I missed the concluding dramatics at Lowe's last evening (the Lakers-Nuggets brawl was in the final exciting quarter and I was flipping back and forth). The explanation offered in the article was less than clear to me. Am I to understand that everyone (of the lead lap cars) except Bliss had pitted when the accident yellow came out? Then, while under yellow, Bliss pitted, maintaining the lead, with Gaughan getting the Lucky Dog to be 2nd. Then they were leading with Busch, Vickers, and a dozen or more others in front of them at the tail end of the lead lap. Anyhow, it is obvious to me that the Nationwide Toyotas have an edge over the Chevys, Fords, and Dodges. Add to that the superb ability of Kyle Busch and it is a tough combination to beat.

5-25-2009 @ 1:23AM

gregsachiko said...

What happen to Busch's car? It was not televised where I live. Thanks for any update

Greg

5-25-2009 @ 11:44AM

bobharlibob said...

I think it is a ripoff to the fans at the race and the fans watching at home when a race gets called for rain. I am a Jeff Gordon fan but can't say I dislike Kyle Busch. I love watching Kyle race. Richard Petty said he has not seen as much talent as Kyle Busch has since the late Tim Richmond. Kyle is a winner and a very good driver.

5-26-2009 @ 4:24PM

bobharlibob,
You are right on the money BUT...Kyle needs to control his emotions and needs to understand that he is now in a sport that is watched by millions , as well as being funded by sponsors.
When I used to wrestle in high school, my coach used to say that it is NOT about how many awards/trophies you win, it is about character, how you effect your teammates and family.