Busch Wins the Missouri-Illinois Dodge Dealers 250

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Kyle Busch won the Missouri-Illinois Dodge Dealers 250, his 27th victory in 157 NASCAR Nationwide Series races. This is his first victory at Gateway International Raceway, winning on his third visit to Madison Illinois track.

"You always cherish the first win at race track," said Busch.

During the driver introductions prior to the race, Busch got his customary loud boos but by the end of the race, some of those boos turned to cheers.

Busch not always known to endear the fans went out of his way several times to recognize the area race fans.

"I want to thank the fans out her in St. Louis," Busch told the fans after the race.

He continued his praise in post race interviews when describing his first win at Gateway. "It fits in well because it's a place I haven't won at."

Reed Sorenson finished in second placed followed by Columbia Missouri native, Carl Edwards.

Busch qualified in 9th place but quickly moved to the front. By lap 10 he was already in 3rd place.

"It was a rocket ship to the front," said Busch describing how his car drove in the beginning of the race.

He quickly moved up to the front and battled in the front and eventually leading the race five different times.

But it was actually Kevin Harvick who seemed to have the car to beat near the end of the race. However, he ran out of fuel on lap 171 and had to coast to his pits. He lost 3 laps in the process. This set the stage for two car battle with Busch who inherited the lead and Carl Edwards on his bumper.

Four laps later, Kenny Wallace brought out the final caution of the race when he dropped oil on the track. Busch, Edwards and the other leaders dove into the pits for fuel and tires. Busch took two tires and Edwards took on four. This was costly for Edwards because Busch once again grabbed first place and Edwards restarted in sixth position.

Edwards did all he could in the remaining twenty laps but he could not catch Busch.

The racers with local connections finished out of the top 10. Justin Allgaier finished in 11th. Mike Wallace finished in 22nd, Steve Wallace in 24th and Kenny Wallace in 29th.

The St. Louis Area fans may never warm up to Busch as they do to Edwards or the Wallace family racers, but with this race they are now witnesses to NASCAR history that Busch is rewriting with each victory.

Kevin Proot
St. Louis Motor Racing News


Race Top Ten:
1. Kyle Busch
2. Reed Sorenson
3. Carl Edwards
4. Mike Bliss
5. Brad Coleman
6. Stephen Leicht
7. Michael Annett
8. Brad Keselowski
9. Jason Keller
10. Erik Darnell


Top Ten Points:
1. Kyle Busch
2. Carl Edwards
3. Brad Keselowski
4. Jason Leffler
5. Joey Logano
6. Mike Bliss
7. Justin Allgaier
8. Steve Wallace
9. Jason Keller
10. Brendan Gaughan
 




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