Kurt Busch sailed past feuding teammates Denny Hamlin and Kyle Busch to win NASCAR’s annual All-Star race and its US$1 million prize.
Hamlin and Kyle Busch, teammates at Joe Gibbs Racing and the hottest drivers in NASCAR right now, were racing each other for the lead in the final segment of Saturday night’s race. Hamlin tried to block Kyle Busch’s pass, and the defensive driving sent Kyle Busch into the wall.
Kurt Busch used the opportunity to sail through the traffic and into the lead, which he held over several late restarts.
PHOTO: AFP
Kurt Busch, the 2004 series champion, was ecstatic as he crossed the finish line for his first career All-Star race victory.
His younger brother, furious at Hamlin, was waiting back at the team hauler for his teammate after unleashing an expletive-laden tirade over his radio.
“Somebody better keep me away from Denny Hamlin,” Kyle Busch shouted. “I swear to God, I am going to kill [him]. All his ... fault. I had this race won! It was won!”
Hamlin and Kyle Busch, who have combined to win five of the last seven Sprint Cup Series races for JGR, were racing each other for the lead in the final segment of the annual All-Star event when Hamlin tried to block Kyle Busch’s attempt at a pass.
The defensive move pinched Kyle Busch against the wall, and the contact sent him sliding back through the field. He later hit the wall again hard and bounced into Kasey Kahne to officially end his night.
Instead of taking his car to his own team hauler, he drove it over to Hamlin’s and angrily punched the air after climbing from the car. Helmet and safety devices still on, he walked directly into Hamlin’s truck while team owner Gibbs followed closely.
Hamlin, after finishing fourth, was directed by his team not to go to his truck. He stopped his car at the entrance to the garage, where he was met by several team members who escorted him to the hauler. The doors were closed behind him after he entered.
It took the spotlight away from Kurt Busch, who beat Martin Truex Jr, winner of the preliminary Sprint Showdown by 0.358 seconds.
Joey Logano, the third JGR driver, finished third and said he would avoid stopping by Hamlin’s hauler.
“I know nothing,” he said. “I am not going near them. All I know is they are cool with me.”
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