Times wires
Friday, May 13, 2011
Kyle Busch again tops in trucks
DOVER, Del. — Under probation, Kyle Busch was on his best behavior racing side-by-side with rival Kevin Harvick. Under caution, Busch geared up for the restarts that helped move him up the NASCAR charts.
Busch won Friday's NASCAR truck race at Dover International Speedway, moving into a tie for fifth place with Mark Martin with 96 career wins in the three major divisions. Busch, 26, has won 21 times in Sprint Cup, 48 in Nationwide and 27 in trucks.
"It wasn't quite the walk in the park it seemed," Busch said. "This place is so difficult, so challenging."
His biggest challenge in the Lucas Oil 200 came from rookie Cole Whitt, who led 23 laps. But Whitt, 19, could not make a move on Busch during late restarts.
"Kyle's one of the best in the business on restarts. He definitely schooled me a few times," Whitt said.
Regan Smith still soaking in victory
Regan Smith still hasn't come down from his whirlwind week. He knows, though, it's time to get focused. A week after shocking the sport at Darlington Raceway with his first NASCAR victory, Smith wants to prove he's no one-win wonder. After all, the Southern 500 win was his third consecutive top-20 finish in Sprint Cup. "I think we're just going to focus on doing the same thing we did last week," Smith said. He spent the week enjoying all the perks that come with taking the checkered flag. He received countless messages from fellow drivers, fans and others in the sport. Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper called team owner Barney Visser (Furniture Row Racing is based in Denver) to offer his well wishes. "As much fun as that was," Smith said, "I want to get that thrill again."
Elsewhere
Kevin Swindell will drive the No. 16 Roush Fenway Racing Ford in today's 5-Hour Energy 200 Nationwide race at Dover in place of Trevor Bayne, the team announced this week. Bayne had been hospitalized for nausea, swelling, numbness and impaired vision. He is expected to return for the May 21 Sprint All-Star Race at Charlotte. … John Force had a run of 4.072 seconds at 310.98 mph to lead the first day of qualifying at the Southern Nationals in Atlanta. Spencer Massey (Top Fuel), Mike Edwards (Pro Stock) and Eddie Krawiec (Pro Stock Motorcycle) also led their classes. Qualifying ends today.
Times wires