Patience makes perfect for Kyle Busch at Martinsville Speedway

 

Without points on the line, Busch used a conservative approach behind the wheel of the No. 51 Cessna Toyota. 

 

He led 174 laps en route to his second victory at Martinsville Speedway and his 54th-career win in the Gander Outdoors Truck Series. 

 

“It was a case of being patient,” Busch said. “Obviously, with trying to go 150 laps to the end of the race on one set of tires is a long way to go, so we just kind of wanted to bide our time and take it easy, make sure we didn’t push too hard. We didn’t need to go up there and get any stage points or anything like that so the opportunity for us to just kind of ride was given to us.” 

 

Ben Rhodes, Brett Moffitt, Ross Chastain and pole sitter Stewart Friesen rounded out the top-five finishers. 

 

Busch took the lead from Friesen on Lap 9 and held the point to the first stage win. Austin Hill had the lead for the start of the second stage, but five laps later Busch returned to the lead again. On Lap 117, rookie Daniel Sasnett spun in Turn 3 to trigger the second caution. Busch lost the lead in the pits when Friesen elected to remain on the track. The race returned to green with Friesen and Moffitt on the front row. But Chastain passed Moffitt and then Friesen for the lead on Lap 131 with nine circuits remaining until the end of Stage 2. 

 

With 20 laps on his tires, Chastain stayed out and led a total of 50 laps before Busch sailed by the No. 45 Chevrolet coming out of Turn 4. Busch led Lap 181 before Chastain regained the lead—but it was short-lived. Busch returned to the point. 

 

Johnny Sauter, who won the fall Martinsville race, spun after suffering from a flat left rear tire to ignite Caution 4.  He was running in the top five after having a power issue during the first stage of the race. To add insult to injury, Sauter had a commitment line violation on his pit stop and forfeiting his lucky dog status. He restarted 19th, end of the longest line. 

 

Busch held on to the point through Cory Roper’s spin on Lap 211, an accident involving Spencer Davis and Tyler Dippel on Lap 244—all in Turn 2. 

 

What appeared to be smooth sailing for the NASCAR champion, became a bit dicey at the end when Reid Wilson spun in Turn 4. The rear of the No. 44 Chevrolet was jutting into traffic as Busch came around Turn 4 to take the white flag. After 250 laps, Busch held a .563-second lead over Rhodes.

 

“These guys gave me a great Cessna Beechcraft Tundra,” Busch said. “It was awesome to drive. It wasn’t so awesome yesterday. We worked really really hard on trying to make this thing better and improve this truck and our program and all of the other trucks as well too. The other three teammates that were out here today. It’s cool to be able to put KBM in victory lane, Toyota in victory lane

 

“It’s cool to have Gander folks on this year and being a part of this series and of course the fans. All the fans here at Martinsville, it’s pretty cool to come out here. It’s cool to win at Martinsville and cool to get to take home a clock. Rowdy Nation is out there loud and proud.”

 

Myatt Snider, Grant Enfinger, Matt Crafton, Sauter and Bubba Wallace rounded out the top 10. 

 

Friesen holds a four-point lead over Enfinger, who suffered from the flu over the weekend.