Kyle Busch’s expectations modest after crash in practice

Matt Kenseth put on a clinic of how to win at Michigan worldwide Speedway on Sunday leading 146 of 200 laps to claim victory in the Pure Michigan 400 in the No. 20 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota. He was fortunate to finish 21st but is one race closer to missing the Chase for the Sprint Cup.

The driver of the No. 3 vehicle said Kenseth took him to school a couple of times when they were battling out front. He gave up track position for fresh right-side tires.

“From the restart zone to turn two was like a super speedway race…it was whoever got locked up”. “We really worked hard for it today”. Austin Dillon was the only drivers of the day to seriously challenge Kenseth. Truex plainly admitted afterward he cost Harvick the victory.

When the final restart came with 13 laps left, Harvick moved up to second, yet still couldn’t catch Kenseth. Look for Harvick to get win number three in 2015 this weekend. Last week at Watkins Glen, he was bumped twice in the closing laps and finished 20th.

“I just can’t believe how hard you’re going to have to drive”, Jamie McMurray said. “We gained a lot of spots starting 43rd and got to fourth where we qualified”.

Michael Kolman, who self-identifies as a die-hard NASCAR fan, has been to almost every race at MIS since 2004.

Team Penske crew chief Greg Ewing, however, said Tagliani had nothing to be ashamed about. “We just have to continue on with our points gathering and go on to next week”. A cycle of green-flag pit stops got underway on lap 51 and lasted until lap 63. Qualifying seventh, he ran first in the second practice, but fell to 10th in the third. He stretched things a little too far, though, running out of fuel as he headed down pit road on lap 114. “It would have been nice to see if we could have fought it out with him”. Its a good exercise and well just have to adjust our auto for being in the back of the field.”. Great race cars. And trying to attack this new aero package.

By Lap 117, Kenseth was back out front ahead of Truex, Kyle Busch and Clint Bowyer.

The race began with the first three positions filled by JGR teammates Kenseth, Hamlin and Carl Edwards.

This rules package was also used at Indianapolis last month and drew criticism, but there’s some hope that it will work better at Michigan’s wider, faster track.

As of Saturday, the high-drag package that was supposed to allow for drafting and better passing has instead made the cars more squirrelly.

Kenseth won the pole Friday and immediately leaped out to the lead on Sunday.