NASCAR 2015 Episode 18 Recap: Kentucky

NASCAR 2015 Episode 18 Recap: Kentucky

What went down: NASCAR rolled into Kentucky under the recent knowledge that teams would be using a new rules package to give the cars less downforce. The hope was that it would create more passing at a 1.5 mile track, tracks that have made passing hard to come by. Mission accomplished.

Kentucky Speedway put on its best show in the five year history of the Sprint Cup Series coming to the track. Multiple lanes opened up in the turns and drivers could utilize the high line or the low line to gain position. Being at the race, I can say that about the top-5 cars would still create some separation from the rest of the field, but everyone else stayed tightly together. And the reason the top-5 could break away may have just been due to nailing the setup. Looking at you Kyle Busch and Brad Keselowski.

Those two drivers dominated the majority of the night, though pit woes slowed Keselowski a few time during the race. But with the new rules package, Keselowski was able to rocket through the field to salvage a 6th place finish in the end.

The battle for the lead at the end of the race was splendid, simply put. Joey Logano used some pit strategy to maneuver up to 1st on the final pitstop, with Busch having to line up slightly further back. On the restart, Logano was able to build up a substantial lead by the time that Busch got to 2nd. And then the hunt was on.

Busch reeled in Logano with 20 laps to go and began to search for a lane to pass after Logano took his preferred line away. Once he did finally find the line he needed to take the lead, Logano pulled a crossover move and gained the lead back. However, Busch was once again able to get by Logano a lap later, and this time for good, pulling away over the last 15 laps for the win.

All I can say after witnessing the new rules package in person, I hope NASCAR implements the package at all 1.5 mile tracks. Even stats showed that passing DOUBLED from last season race. Keep it coming!  

What it means for Busch: Kyle Busch continues to make his return from a broken leg and foot look like it was nothing. This is Busch's second win of the year, his second in three races, and his second in seven races back. This was his second career win at Kentucky, tying him with Brad Keselowski for all-time wins at the track. Busch still needs to make up 87 points in the eight races before the Chase to crack the top-30 in points and make his wins eligible.

What it means for everyone else: Joe Gibbs Racing enjoyed a very strong night. Aside from Busch winning the race, Denny Hamlin finished third, Carl Edwards finished fourth and Matt Kenseth finished 5th.

Jeff Gordon was unable to win at Kentucky in his final start, going 0-for-5 at the track, making it the only track he never won at during his Sprint Cup career. Still, in his 5 career starts at Kentucky, Gordon never finished worse that 10th and averaging a 7th place finish at the track. And winning at 24-out-of-25 tracks is not too shabby by any stretch of the imagination.

Roush Fenway Racing had an uncharacteristically good performance. It's sad to say that for a team that has always been competitive until the last couple of years. But anyway, Ricky Stenhouse Jr. finished 11th, Trevor Bayne had another good run in 13th and Greg Biffle came home 16th. Perhaps Roush is finally starting to catch on to something.

What’s next: The series heads up to its northernmost track, the New Hampshire Motor Speedway to take on the uber-flat 1 mile track.