Kurt Busch passed brother Kyle with 24 laps left and won the nascar” target=”_blank”>NASCAR< owner Justin Marks this month.
It was the final race for the current surface on the Atlanta Motor Speedway track. It was installed in 1997 and is the oldest on the NASCAR circuit. Construction on a repaving and reprofile project will begin immediately.
“Just going to put that much emphasis on winning that last one today because it will be that old nostalgic feel,” Kurt Busch said before the race.
Atlanta Motor Speedway president Brandon Hutchinson said the resurfacing was overdue. Proof of the poor condition of the old asphalt came holes which developed on the front straightaway had to be repaired following the second stage.
The race was delayed for 19 minutes during a red-flag stoppage as a crew filled the gaps in the track with caulk.
Martin Truex Jr. finished third after starting at the back of the pack. Alex Bowman was fourth, followed by Ryan Blaney.
Pole-sitter Chase Elliott finished seventh. Elliott fell back after his brakes locked, causing him to miss his pit box, on a competition caution on Lap 27. Elliott struggled to make up ground and remained winless in seven starts at his Atlanta home track.
Light rain, and the threat of a heavier downpour, affected strategy late in the second stage. Some drivers were instructed to delay pit stops and remain on the track in case rain forced a delay or early end to the race. There was no weather delay.
Truex had been slated to start fifth but was pushed to to the rear of the pack after his Toyota failed two pre-race inspections.
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Denny Hamlin was fifth at the end of the second stage but was penalized for entering the pits too fast and had to move to the back of the pack for the restart. He finished 13th.
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The NASCAR Cup series moves to the New Hampshire Motor Speedway. Brad Keselowski won last year’s race.
