Trucks: Busch Paces the Field at Dover: Mid-Race Report

What’s Happening?

Two stages down, one to go for the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series at the Monster Mile. It has been the Kyle Busch show, something that a lot of fans in Rowdy Nation don’t get to experience too often. Though his truck is notably not perfect, he seems to have a good handle on it as we prepare for the final stage. Here’s where the dust settles as we pull those belts tight and gear up for the conclusion of the Ecosave 200 at Dover Motor Speedway.

Mid-Race Report

• Stage 1 was dominated by the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series All-Time winner, Kyle “Freakin'” Busch. Driving the No. 7 Chevrolet, he led the majority of the race’s opening 45 laps, relinquishing the lead only when the leaders pitted late in the stage during a caution. Cole Butcher and Brenden Queen stayed out but had nothing for Busch on fresh tires. KFB went on to win the stage easily as Queen held on to a wrecking loose race truck to end the stage outside of the top 10.
• The following drivers earned stage points in Stage 1: Ty Majeski (9), Cole Butcher (8), Ross Chastain (7), Gio Ruggiero (5), Jake Garcia (4), Layne Riggs (2), and Grant Enfinger (1). Kyle Busch, Ross Chastain, Carson Hocevar, and Christopher Bell all finished the stage in the top 10 but were ineligible to earn stage points due to running full-time in the Cup Series.
• Like the first stage, the second stage belonged to Kyle Busch. By the stage’s conclusion Kyle Busch had led 87 of the 90 laps so far. He went on to win the stage relatively uncontested. However, behind him Ross Chastain’s No. 45 truck seemingly looked to be coming to life. At the stage’s end, Clint Boyer in the No. 25 RAM took a wild ride but managed to hang onto it without spinning out.
• Earning stage points in the second stage were: Ty Majeski (8), Gio Ruggiero (7), Layne Riggs (4), Kaden Honeycutt (2), and Grant Enfinger (1). Kyle Busch, Ross Chastain, Christopher Bell, Carson Hocevar, and Brandon Jones all also finished inside the top 10 but were ineligible for points due to being committed to other series.
• There was only one caution for incident. It came on Lap 40 when Dystany Spurlock, who was making her series debut, spun, making contact with the inside wall.

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