Kyle Busch comes back to capture his 200th career NASCAR win

FONTANA, Calif.—“All we do is win, win, win…,” exclaimed Kyle Busch as he celebrated his 200th-career NASCAR victory on Sunday. 

 

Despite a speeding penalty after the second stage of the Auto Club 400, Busch recovered from 18th-place midway through the event to win his fourth Cup race at Auto Club Speedway.

 

His 54th-career Cup victory—along with 94 in the Xfinity Series and 53 in trucks—elevates Busch to the only current driver to reach a combined 200 national wins among NASCAR’s top three tours.

 

“It takes green to get in Victory Lane today,” Busch said.“Today is St. Patty's day. All these other guys were at a disadvantage. The Interstate Batteries Green Machine was flying today. Just awesome. Just awesome. To win 200, I mean, whatever it means, it means a lot to me. It means a lot to all my guys, everybody at Joe Gibbs Racing. You guys are all the best.” 

 

But the driver was pretty damn sporty on Sunday. Over the final 25 laps, he extended his advantage to 2.354-seconds over Joey Logano. 

 

“We only raced for two laps before the 18 blew our doors off and drove away from us,” Logano said. “Fastest car in the race. We’ve got a little bit of work to do.”

 

Brad Keselowski, Kevin Harvick, Ryan Blaney, Kurt Busch, Denny Hamlin, Martin Truex Jr., Aric Almirola and pole sitter Austin Dillon rounded out the top 10.  

 

Busch won the first two stages of the race and led 102 laps before NASCAR busted the No. 18 Toyota for speeding on Lap 123. Thirty-eight laps later, Busch was back in the lead again. 

 

“I knew we had a great race car,” Busch said. “We had a great race car all day long. We were fast. I wasn't sure how well we were going to be able to come through the field, get back in traffic, get our way worked back up to the lead. Brad was really fast that run, he was way out front.  We were catching the 22, the 4.  

 

“If it went green to the end, I wasn't sure how it was going to play out. Sometimes you have to a little bit of luck on your side.” 

 

Certainly, Busch had luck. But he also had a whole lot of talent to keep himself in contention as he climbed back through the field. After the Team Penske Fords pitted on 160, Busch returned to the point on Lap 161. Three laps later, Bubba Wallace cut a tire to trigger the fourth and final caution. 

 

Keselowski had the lead when the race returned to green on Lap 170, but it was short-lived. Busch regained the point on Lap 175 and held on for the final 25 laps. 

 

“It's an amazing opportunity to drive for Joe Gibbs,” Busch said. “I cherish every minute of it, love it always. Just wish that we could keep it going, keep it going like this, running strong, running well, and winning these races.”

 

Although it’s been 14 years since Busch won his first career Cup race, coincidentally at the same two-mile track, the driver said the win felt like his first. 

 

“Feels just like yesterday,” Busch said. “Man, that was such an awesome race car. I mean, dang. This Interstate Batteries Camry was awesome today. I'm glad we put on a heck of a show for all these fans out here in California at Auto Club Speedway.”

 

Crew chief Adam Stevens described Busch’s 200th NASCAR win as “awesome”. He was quick to point out that it wasn’t his 200th—but certainly appreciated the opportunity to be a part of his career. Since he was paired with Busch five years ago, the two have amassed 24 wins in 133 starts and the 2015 Cup championship.

 

“He's as good as they get,” Stevens said. “Probably be a first ballot Hall of Famer. I don't know how anybody could argue that.

To be that close to that level of talent, help him achieve what he's achieved is a tremendous honor. I don't take it lightly. I never have. You guys have probably heard me say that before.

           

“To get him to Victory Lane a few times, be a part of it on the Xfinity side, share a Cup championship, a few Cup races, now to be part of his 200th win, I hope I'm there for 250."