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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Keeping Pace

Kyle Busch Wins Bristol Truck Series Race; Ron Hornaday Jr. Finishes Third

Kyle Busch, driver of the No. 51 Miccosukee Resort/Graceway Pharmaceuticals Toyota, bows to the crowd at the start/finish line after winning the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series O'Reilly 200 at Bristol Motor Speedway on Wednesday in Bristol, Tenn. (Photo Credit: John Harrelson/Getty Images for NASCAR)  (John Harrelson / The Spokesman-Review)
Kyle Busch, driver of the No. 51 Miccosukee Resort/Graceway Pharmaceuticals Toyota, bows to the crowd at the start/finish line after winning the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series O'Reilly 200 at Bristol Motor Speedway on Wednesday in Bristol, Tenn. (Photo Credit: John Harrelson/Getty Images for NASCAR) (John Harrelson / The Spokesman-Review)

Kyle Busch took the lead on Lap 124 after a lengthy side-by-side battle with Jason White and was a comfortable 2.721 seconds ahead of runner-up Matt Crafton .

Courtesy: NASCAR Media Relations

BRISTOL, Tenn.—Kyle Busch ended Ron Hornaday Jr.’s five-race winning streak, capturing Wednesday night’s O’Reilly 200 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race at Bristol Motor Speedway.

Busch took the lead on Lap 124 after a lengthy side-by-side battle with Jason White and was a comfortable 2.721 seconds ahead of runner-up Matt Crafton by the time the checkered flag appeared.

“It’s a fun place to race,” Busch said after collecting his third truck win of the season. “I knew we would come here with a fast truck; we’ve been fast every time we’ve come here. … It’s good to be back, finally.”

Hornaday, polesitter Ryan Newman and Brian Scott rounded out the top five.

“Anytime Kyle and I get together, we know we can win races,” crew chief Richie Wauters said. “We thought about (pitting a second time), but the tires are so hard here, they’re not falling off. … We decided to stay out, and it was the right call.”

Wauters replaced Doug George atop the pit box heading into this week’s race.

Busch led twice for 82 laps en route to his 12th career win in the series. White led one time for 86.

Hornaday, running in the top 10, restarted in 17th after pitting during the night’s first caution. He worked his way back into the top 10 and was safely inside the top five at the finish. After winning five consecutive races, Hornaday said he was “just glad (the streak) is over so you guys will stop asking me about it.”

“Bristol is the toughest one. (I) just left a lot out there,” Hornaday said. “Top five is what we needed for points. It’s been pretty cool.”

Hornaday remains atop the standings and leads Crafton by 211 points. Mike Skinner, who had to pit late under green, finished 20th and remained third in the standings.



Keeping Pace

Motorsports correspondent Doug Pace keeps up with motorsports news and notes from around the region.