(By Sarah Farlee Managing Editor, CupScene.com)
Posted: Sunday,March 21st, 2010
BRISTOL, TN - Kurt Busch was the class of the field in Sunday’s Food City 500 at Bristol Motor Speedway, but he would have to settle for a third place finish.
“Well, all in all, to come home third and lead a lot of laps at Bristol felt good,” said Busch, who moved up to sixth in Sprint Cup point’s standings, 97 behind leader Kevin Harvick.
“We had a car to beat early on in the race,” added Busch.
Kurt Busch (Getty Images)
“As the race progressed we were there in the mix.”
Busch said on the final restart his plan to overtake the 99 [Edwards] got changed and they ended up bottle up, instead of moving forward.
“I felt like we had the effort today, we just came up short,” said Busch, who added he was exhausted and disappointed after pouring his heart and soul into beating the 48 [Johnson].
Johnson came out on top – again.
“We have worked so hard for this,” said Johnson, who sits third in Sprint Cup points standings, 14 behind leader Harvick. “I thought we were in trouble there, but those four tires were everything.”
“It’s about time, man,” added Johnson, who picks up his first career win at the Tennessee short track.
Busch, however, has had five wins at Bristol and regardless of the outcome he feels confident.
“I’m confident we’ve turned the corner,” said Busch, who adds the addition of crew chief Steve Addington just may have been the missing link he was looking for.
Tony Stewart was looking for his first win of the season, but couldn’t hold off Johnson at the end. Stewart said the final restart was the first time he was able to gain track position all day
BRISTOL, TN - MARCH 21: Jimmie Johnson, driver of the #48 Lowe's Chevrolet, leads the field during the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Food City 500 at Bristol Motor Speedway on March 21, 2010 in Bristol, Tennessee. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)
“We got lucky on the restart,” said Stewart who pitted for two tires on the final stop. “Matt spun the tires and we were able to get to second but couldn’t hold off Jimmie.”
“I couldn’t do anything; that was the best I could do right there,” said Stewart of his efforts. “I am proud of our guys. They stuck with it all day and we got a top-five out of it.”
Greg Biffle’s fourth place finish has him fourth in the point’s standings 24 behind Harvick. Matt Kenseth is only one point behind Harvick after a fifth place finish at Bristol.
Carl Edwards was sixth, Dale Earnhardt, Jr. was seventh, Jamie McMurray was eighth, Kyle Busch was ninth and Jeff Burton rounded out the top-ten.
Other notes from the Food City 500:
David Reutimann dropped a cylinder and parked on lap 113. Reutimann finished 38th.
Kasey Kahne brought out the fifth caution 205 with a cut right front tire. Kahne was forced up into the wall, but only made slight contact. On the restart, Kahne scuffed the wall again, and made it to pit road without incident. Kahne finished in the 34th position 68 laps down.
Kyle Busch made contact with the wall on lap 263 after a right front tire blew. Busch had been concerned about blistering tires. Busch said the issue was due to excessive brake usage. The day might have started rough, but Busch did battle back for a top-ten finish, he finished 9th.
Busch was not the only Joe Gibbs driver with tire issues. Hamlin blew a right front, as did Joey Logano. Hamlin finished 19th, Logano finished 27th five laps down.
Reagan Smith slammed the wall on lap 323. Smith had contact with Elliott Sadler two laps prior to a right front tire issue. Smith finished 36th, 170 laps down. Sadler finished 20th.
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