When Kyle Busch made the shocking decision to leave Joe Gibbs Racing in favor of Richard Childress Racing, nobody expected much from him.
Busch, a two-time Cup Series champion, has won at every level in NASCAR, but the move from JGR to RCR seemed to many like a step backward. It is true in some respects: RCR’s resources are not quite on the same level as JGR’s have been over the years.
In the season-opening Daytona 500, Busch ran an excellent race but ultimately came up short once again. Over the course of his career of nearly 20 seasons, he has never won at that track.
On Sunday, Busch shocked the NASCAR world by winning the Cup Series race at Fontana in just his second race in the No. 8 RCR car.
Busch, 37, found victory lane for the 61st time in his storied career. This dominant performance snapped a 28-race winless streak and was his fifth at Fontana.
“I think it’s phenomenal. Can’t thank Richard enough for giving me the opportunity to come to RCR, be a part of Chevrolet and race this Lucas Oil Camaro today. The guys did a great job. Everybody worked so hard this offseason and did a lot of sim stuff and testing. Nothing more rewarding than getting to victory lane,” he said in the post-race interview with Fox Sports’ Regan Smith.
Busch finished 11th in the Stage One and second in Stage Two. As the laps were winding down, he was locked in a tight battle with Trackhouse Racing’s Ross Chastain. After an excellent final pit stop, Busch was able to track down Michael McDowell, who stayed out instead of pitting, and hold on to the lead to the end.
Chase Elliott, Chastain, Daniel Suarez and Kevin Harvick rounded out the top-five while Denny Hamlin, Brad Keselowski, Alex Bowman, Austin Dillon and Joey Logano were the sixth through 10 finishers.
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