Kyle Busch wins NASCAR Nationwide race shortened by rain
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AVONDALE, Ariz. -- Kyle Busch won a rain-shortened NASCAR Nationwide race at Phoenix International Raceway on Saturday, his third consecutive win at the one-mile oval in NASCAR’s second-level series.
Busch, driving the No. 54 Toyota, dominated until rain halted the event with 32 laps left in the 200-lap race.
It was the seventh Nationwide victory overall at Phoenix for Busch, who mainly drives in NASCAR’s top-tier Sprint Cup Series. He celebrated the win in an infield tent as rain poured down on Victory Lane.
Kevin Harvick finished second, Brad Keselowski was third and Kyle Larson finished fourth. They also compete in the Cup series.
The rain initially was intermittent and NASCAR made several attempts to dry the track over the next two hours. But when the rain became heavy about 5:30 p.m. local time, officials declared the race official.
“I would have loved to have gone back out there . . . but the weather wasn’t on our side today,” Busch said. “We could have won it whether it was rain-shortened or whether we went the whole distance.”
Harvick agreed it was unlikely he could have overtaken Busch even if the race had resumed, saying “Kyle had the best car today.”
Busch started third, grabbed the lead on the opening lap and overall led 155 of the 168 laps completed.
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