Kurt Busch, driver of the No. 41 Haas Automation/Monster Energy Chevrolet SS for Stewart-Haas Racing (SHR), felt like he was in position for a strong finish in the Cheez-It 355k at The Glen NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race Sunday at Watkins Glen (N.Y.) International, but an ill-timed caution would ruin his pit strategy, and additional cautions over the closing laps of the race would hinder his ability to improve positon.
Photo: Stewarthaasracing.com
Busch started 17th in the 40-car field but quickly advanced position despite battling handling issues that saw his racecar tight on the left-hand corners while loose on the right-handers. Busch was scored eighth when he came to pit road for a scheduled green-flag pit stop on lap 26. Noting almost no tire wear, crew chief Tony Gibson called for fuel only and a minor wedge adjustment to help the handling of the Haas Automation/Monster Energy Chevrolet.
Following the pit stop, Busch was scored 17th. He would gain positions on the racetrack as the laps clicked off, and when the caution flag waved on lap 47 for a loose wheel on pit road, he stuck to his planned strategy and stayed on the racetrack. He would inherit the lead for the restart but would lose it on the first turn when he washed out wide. A multicar incident unfolded shortly thereafter, forcing NASCAR to display the red flag. It couldn’t have come at a worse time for the No. 41 team; now, Busch would come to pit road with the rest of the leaders but with a near-empty fuel tank, requiring more time on his stop than other drivers who had pitted before the red flag and so had more fuel and quicker pit times.
Busch restarted 24th and would see his ability to improve position over the closing laps limited due to a number of late-race cautions. He took advantage of the green-flag laps that he had and was able to advance to 11th to take the checkered flag.
“We didn’t quite time the final pit stop to our advantage,” Busch said. “We ended up behind and then had too many restarts and yellow flags at the end. There was no way to get caught up. I didn’t drive aggressive enough and the strategy didn’t play out, but the Haas Automation/Monster Energy Chevrolet was underneath us, we just got put in a hole.”
Harvick, Busch and Stewart are all eligible to compete in the 16-driver, 10-race Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup, which begins after the Sept. 10 race at Richmond (Va.) International Raceway. All have won a race this season and are among the top-30 in points, the two requirements necessary to secure a spot in the Chase. Patrick can also earn a Chase berth by winning a race and staying inside the top-30. Five races remain before the Chase begins Sept. 18 at Chicagoland Speedway in Joliet, Illinois.
The next event on the Sprint Cup schedule is the Bass Pro Shops NRA Night Race on Saturday, Aug. 20, at Bristol (Tenn.) Motor Speedway. The race begins at 8 p.m. EDT with live coverage provided by NBCSN.
