Video courtesy of Horsepower Project by Michele Martin Photography
LAS VEGAS, NV – Before his NASCAR Cup Series career began, Kyle Busch won 50 races at the Bullring at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. However, as of Thursday morning, it had been 17 years since he last took a checkered flag at his hometown short track.
That changed on Thursday night when Busch drove his No. 51 Toyota Camry to victory in the Star Nursery 100 Super Late Model Open Comp race. He did so in front of a very pro-Rowdy crowd at the 3/8-mile oval.
Photo courtesy of Horsepower Project by Michele Martin Photography
“It’s been a long time since I won here – a really long time,” Busch said. “The fans here have always supported me – in the beginning from The Bullring days when I was a kid.
“Thanks to all the supporters out here in Las Vegas – my mom and dad, and my wife and my son now … how times have changed. It’s so cool and special to come out here – I want to thank Craig Keough and Star Nursery for sponsoring this event, and the next one [the ARCA West Series event].”
Photo courtesy of Horsepower Project by Michele Martin Photography
Busch started in the seventh position and bided his time moving to the front. He first took over the lead from Derek Thorn on Lap 63, but soon gave it back up to the West Coast star. On Lap 65 Busch executed a bump and run on Thorn and never looked back, winning by 1.220 seconds over Christian McGhee and 1.312 seconds over Thorn.
Photo courtesy of Horsepower Project by Michele Martin Photography
“We had a good car and just kind of got stuck there for a little bit,” Busch said. “That’s The Bullring – that’s how I remember it the times I used to be here. You gotta move them, or you’ll get moved. It’s fun racing.”
Busch also had high praise for his rivals in the race, in particular Thorn, who led the most laps but was relegated to third after a bump by McGhee on the final circuit.
“Thorn is one of the best competitors out here on the West Coast, there’s no question,” Busch said. “So, it’s cool to beat those guys tonight.”
For more on the Star Nursery 100 and/or The Bullring at Las Vegas Motor Speedway please visit www.lvms.com.
2020 Star Nursery 100 – Super Late Model Open – Finishing Order
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