Restarts And The Games Played

SPARTA, KENTUCKY – JULY 08: Kyle Busch, driver of the #18 NOS Energy Drink Rowdy Toyota leads the field at the start of the NASCAR XFINITY Series Alsco 300 at Kentucky Speedway on July 8, 2017 in Sparta, Kentucky. (Photo by Brian Lawdermilk/Getty Images)

As Erik Jones and Kyle Busch led the field to green, the caution flag flew thanks to the dreaded “games” seen on starts and restarts that impacted midfield.

As a result, the lap 1 crash sent some to the garage before they began.

Ryan Reed, who was involved in the accident, said on his radio that the field jumped on the restart. Next, they slowed down, causing the entire field to jam up.

The replays airing on NBCSN seemed to disprove this claim, and seemed to show that the flagman waited till the leaders were very late in the box to start the race. This was the procedure for the initial start, not the leader starting on lap one.

After the race, victor Kyle Busch was asked about the restart procedures.

“When you are the leader, you’re just watching your mirror and making sure those guys aren’t laying back,” Busch said. He added, “It seemed whenever Erik or myself are on the front row, guys are laying back more than normal to get a big run.”

This seemed to be the case on that first start combined with drivers trying to anticipate the start.

Busch also added that when he is behind the leader, he tries to be respectful. When running a half car length, maybe one, it is respectful of the leaders. Also, he seemed to believe he was being disrespected on several occasions.

Furthermore, Busch expressing his displeasure about the space between cars on the restart, and the games that were being played.

William Byron was also asked about the restarts in the media center as the highest finishing rookie, coming home seventh.

“I wasn’t on the front row so I’m not sure if games were being played, but you have take every advantage as you can and get as much as possible on the restarts,” Byron said.  Furthermore, he was OK with what happened, not only with the initial start, but throughout the day.

Good or bad, games or not, Ryan Reed, Blake Koch, Brandon Jones, and Brendan Gaughan had early trips home after spending an extra day in Kentucky.

However, for the top six, including winner Kyle Busch, it’s time to cool off and wait for tonight’s Quaker State 400 .

Stephen Conley

If it races, I'll write about it, talk about it or shoot it with a camera.

I began pursuing a career in motorsports journalism immediately after attending college at Kent State University. I have hosted multiple Motorsports talk shows, worked in Country Music radio, and now i spend every day on the air in the morning with 1300 and 100.9 WMVO and in the afternoons watching the roadways around Central Ohio for 93.7 WQIO.

The excitement and the fans make everything I put out there worth while, it's been an exciting 15 years having covered everything from the Daytona 500 to the Rolex 24 and you can find me at pretty much any event run at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course.

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Everyone has a story and I like to tell it. My main focus here at TPF is looking at the men and women behind the microphone and cameras.

My life long goal is to become a member of MRN or PRN Radio and bring the races to you. I hope that what I share now is enjoyable and gives you a unique look in to the world of motorsports.

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