Indeed, Kyle Busch captures the victory in Saturday’s Credit Karma Money 250 at Atlanta. (Photo: Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
Naturally, Kyle Busch seemed like the prime contender for Saturday’s Credit Karma Money 250 at Atlanta.
After all, Busch entered race 18 of 33 with a perfect record. Indeed, the 36-year-old Las Vegas native claimed victories in his previous four starts (Austin, Texas, Nashville and Road America).
Surely, Kyle Busch put on another masterful, dominant performance at the 1.54-mile speedway. However, the 2009 NASCAR XFINITY Series champion had his hands full with a fellow Joe Gibbs Racing teammate.
On account of two timely, well executed pit stops, Daniel Hemric inserted his name into the picture. In this case, Hemric seemed destined for his much anticipated maiden XFINITY victory.
Nevertheless, a restart with six laps remaining from the race’s original distance resulted in a game changing moment.
Hemric, with a hardy push from Busch, spun his scuff tires on the restart. As a result, Hemric got a bit loose before winding up in the high lane.
Consequently, Hemric, after briefly correcting the course of his No. 18 car, wobbled before crashing into the wall between turns 1 and 2.
For his part, Busch, who ultimately won Saturday afternoon’s race, seemed a bit contrite.
Ultimately, Kyle Busch scored his 102nd NASCAR XFINITY Series win. (Photo: Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
“Not quite the win we were hoping for,’’ Busch said. “A little bit of a somber win, I guess, not just for it being it the last one. But for the way it kind of happened.
“Really hate it for my teammate Daniel Hemric there on the frontstretch. Just trying to get to him, trying to push him, trying to hit him and get him moving forward. We hit that bump there on the track at the same time and it kind of juked his car and he was across traffic, I guess. Ended up wrecked, which was not all how I foresaw that all going. But we were able to push our way through and get on to victory lane.”
On the other hand, Hemric kept his head up high despite a hearbreaking 30th place result. Of course, one would’ve understood if Hemric, smitten by another setback at Atlanta, brooded over a lost opportunity.
Instead, Hemric provided some perspective after the tough finish.
All for nought. (Photo: Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
“Obviously, I know it wasn’t intentional by no means,” Hemric observed. “I did spin the tires a little bit, we were on scuffed tires there.
“I thought we got rolling there the best we could, and Kyle just went to push me and help out momentum in the bottom lane. Right when he went to hook on my back bumper, there’s a swell there right before you turn into turn 1. The way the car loads there, the bumpers didn’t align. And it shot me right there.”
Granted, Hemric didn’t mince words about the setback despite not putting a foot wrong.
“I know it wasn’t intentional but at the end of the day, I’m talking to you guys with a torn-up race car,” Hemric conceded. “This sucks.”
Ultimately, Hemric looks ahead to next Saturday afternoon (July 17)’s Ambetter Get Vaccinated 200 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. On the other hand, Busch, despite the circumstances, possibly concluded his XFINITY career by going five for five in his abbreviated schedule.
Rowdy times in Atlanta. (Photo: Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
In the end, Busch, otherwise known as “Rowdy,” added another trophy to his ever-growing future NASCAR Hall of Fame record.
Credit Karma Money 250 Top 10 Finishers at Atlanta
Kyle Busch-Jeb Burton-Gragson-Haley-Ty Dillon/Moffitt-Allgaier-Clements-Mayer-Cindric
