Kyle Busch sets NASCAR record with Nationwide win

[July 28, 2008]  CLERMONT, Ind. (AP) -- Kyle Busch was frustrated by NASCAR's latest rule change. He took it out on the competition. Busch led all but three laps Saturday night to win the Kroger 200 for Toyota's 15th victory in 22 Nationwide races this season.

It was the first win since NASCAR mandated Toyota cut 15 horsepower from its engines on Wednesday. NASCAR changed the parameters after rival teams complained, even though Toyota was within the rules.

"We wanted to come out here this weekend and sort of get a little sweet revenge on everybody," Busch said. "It turned out that way, and it worked out in our favor."

Busch won his 15th race of the season spanning NASCAR's three series, breaking the record of 14 set by Kevin Harvick in 2006. He has six Nationwide wins in 20 starts this year.

"It's been a dream season, completely all around," he said. "We're still running and still able to win races, so that's been the greatest fact."

Busch and Jason Leffler, the defending race winner, were upset with NASCAR's decision about the horsepower. Both felt Busch's win showed that there's more to their success than cars with powerful engines.

"It's all about the people here," Leffler said. "I think this week, that got overlooked a little bit. People felt like we had advantages in other places. I think we've got a lot of advantages in a lot of places. You're going to have a tough time taking them all away."

Last year, Toyota was the upstart when the Kroger race was Toyota's first win in what then was called the Busch Series.

Polesitter Colin Braun finished second on Saturday, and Mike Bliss was third. Carl Edwards was four laps down early in the race, but moved to the lead lap toward the end with the help of some cautions and finished 11th.

Joey Logano, the 18-year-old who finished in the top two in his previous three Nationwide races, finished eighth.

The only laps Busch didn't lead were under caution. Busch said the lower horsepower likely cost him the pole, but it didn't matter because he took the lead from Braun on the opening lap.

"On a short track, you don't normally see one car dominate like that," said Braun, who had his best career finish. "He didn't really run off and leave everybody, he just got track position."

Busch, who also won the Kroger race in 2004, said the drop in horsepower might have helped Saturday because control has added importance on a short track. He said the impact of the decision won't be felt until races on bigger tracks.

"They sort of gave us an advantage for ORP (O'Reilly Raceway Park), but it's going to come down to next week and seeing what we have," he said.

[Associated Press; By CLIFF BRUNT]

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