By John Schutt
NASCAR Cup Series, Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Las Vegas, Nev., Sunday, Sept. 27.
Kurt Busch scored his first career Cup victory at his hometown track, Las Vegas Motor Speedway, won his first race of the season, and was the first driver to advance to third round of the playoffs.
Busch led the final 26 laps, to take advantage when a caution came out in the middle of a green-flag pit cycle. Busch was the only playoff driver who had yet to be in the pit prior to the caution.
Matt DiBenedetto finished in second place and was followed by Denny Hamlin, Martin Truex, Jr., and Alex Bowman.
Busch was in ninth place in the standings and followed his brother, Kyle Busch by one place. Kevin Harvick returned to first place in the playoffs with a three-point lead over Denny Hamlin who was in second place. See page 8.
NASCAR Cup Series, Bass Pro Shops Night Race, Bristol Motor Speedway, Bristol, Tenn., Saturday, Sept. 19.
Kevin Harvick won the race followed by Kyle Busch in second place, Eric Jones in third, Tyler Reddick in fourth, and Aric Almirola fifth.
Brad Keselowski led stage one until lap eight when he lost control and Chase Elliott got past and won the first stage. Kyle Busch had to start in the back after failing inspection twice, but ended up second place in the first stage.
Stage two leaders were Kyle Busch and Alex Bowman. Kyle Busch won the second stage ahead of Denny Hamlin.
Stage three started with Kyle Busch getting the jump on Joey Logano. Keselowski was in the top five most of the race until he lost his power steering.
With 10 laps remaining Kyle Busch and Harvick battled for the lead until Harvick got ahead and won the race.
NASCAR Cup Series, Federated Auto parts 400, Richmond Raceway, Richmond, Va., Saturday, Sept. 12.
Keselowski ran off without a crash, no caution, race! Following in second place were Martin Truex, Jr., Logano in third place, Austin Dillon in fourth, and Elliott in fifth. Hamlin won the first stage over Dillion.
Keselowski won the second stage.
Dillon was in good position until he over-shot the pit entrance late in the race. He was penalized three seconds, which he could not make up.