The high-drag aerodynamic package made its return to the Sprint Cup Series at Michigan with much of the same effects that drivers saw when the package debuted at Indianapolis three races ago.
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It all underlines a trend across motor sports that fans increasingly criticize: There is more action off the track, especially with how new technology has transformed design and engineering, than during the racing on the track.
Kenseth continued to wheel through a race that was at times uninspired, and for some drivers was calamitous.
Kenseth led 146 of the 200 laps, including 64 of the last 75, in a race that did little to excite anyone not wearing Kenseth gear.
It was Kenseth’s second win in the past three races and the fifth race win for a Gibbs Toyota in the past six races.
Martin Truex Jr. finished behind Harvick in third. (Chevrolet) third.
At one point in the Pure Michigan 400, about the most exciting instance came early in the race, when an oil pan came free from a vehicle and landed somewhere on the backstretch at Michigan global Speedway.
I was just running along, everything was fine and I was actually feeling pretty good about it, Busch said. Kenseth remains seventh in the championship standings as the series heads to Bristol next weekend. “To win at the Sprint Cup level to me is a huge deal”.
“It rained in June, we were still here all day”, Stein said. You want everybody in your mirror.
“I just can’t believe how hard you’re going to have to drive”, Jamie McMurray said. I’m really proud of my guys. Kyle Busch continued his assault on the sport with a relentless charge from last place (thanks to a vehicle change) to the front.
All he has to do is not wreck and continue to race well and he will keep his spot and not have to worry about the points anymore.
The frustration of others had nothing to do with Kenseth, who appeared to clearly have the best auto.
Truex is fourth in points. Kenseth said the package was awful, with Harvick calling it a “science experiment” that wasted a ton of money. “We really had to work for it today”.
And Carl Edwards, who turned his engine off during a caution to save fuel and ended up stalling his Toyota, still managed to finish sixth. Follow him on Twitter @mikebrudenell.
Matt Kenseth, above, was the class of the field in his third victory of the season.
Sirius Satellite Radio 400: Kenseth, driving for Jack Roush’s team, worked his way up from starting 20th, squeezing past DaveBlaney with nine laps to go to win by. Though he has had a bad year so far this season, this is one of his better tracks so I expect him to do well.
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Busch will now start at the back of the field, in a backup vehicle.
