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Kyle Busch wins New Hampshire: 5 things learned

By Charles Rahrig V

Jul 19, 2015; Loudon, NH, USA; NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Brad Keselowski (2) leads NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Kyle Busch (18) during the 5-Hour Energy 301 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 19, 2015; Loudon, NH, USA; NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Brad Keselowski (2) leads NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Kyle Busch (18) during the 5-Hour Energy 301 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports /
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Kyle Busch dominated short track racing as he picked up yet another win at the 5-Hour ENERGY 301.

Kyle Busch is currently writing one of the best stories ever to be written on a race track. From battered, broken and potentially suffering a career-ending injury to recovering and getting back on the track in hopes of a championship, one of the best stories to unfold on a race track is happening before all of our eyes this season.

On Sunday, Kyle Busch won the 5-Hour ENERGY 301 at New Hampshire, which was his third win in the last four races. With everything on the line for Busch as he needs more than just wins to get into “The Chase,” he continues to overcome the odds against him.

Much like Kentucky, he battled Brad Keselowski and Joey Logano for the win, but at the end of the day it was Busch who once again fought off everyone for his second consecutive win. At times, it looked like the lapped cars might allow Keselowski to catch up to Busch as he was stuck in traffic, but there just were not enough laps left for Brad to do anything.

With Busch picking up his third win of the season, here are five things learned at New Hampshire.

1. Kyle Busch is inching closer to locking in a spot in “The Chase”

Kyle Busch being able to come back at Charlotte back in May would have made for a great story alone. Instead, Busch has been doing the unthinkable ever since turning himself into a championship contender despite missing an early portion of the season.

Then a wreck at Dover made it seem like Busch was going to have a hard time getting into the top-30 in points to earn a spot in “The Chase.” He would then slowly but surely rule the summer season of NASCAR by winning Sonoma, Kentucky and now New Hampshire.

He now sits 33rd in the points standings, and just 53 points out of the 30th spot. If he just puts together solid runs the rest of the way, he will get there with flying colors, but a third win now makes it so much easier for the No. 18. Still, Busch knows better than anyone else not to take anything for granted.

He’s going for that fourth win of the season now, and that would tie him for most wins on the season with Jimmie Johnson. Not only is he bouncing back from a terrifying injury, but he’s out to win the most races too.

2. Alex Bowman and The Hunger Games have something in common

Alex Bowman might as well join The Hunger Games, because he’s catching fire. Okay that was a terrible pun, but Alex Bowman lit up New Hampshire Sunday, but not for the right reasons.

As he was coming out of his pit stall, his tire caught on fire, and soon everything became engulfed.

His car would head back to the garage, and his tire into a fiery inferno from which it will never return.

3. Don’t sleep on Kevin Harvick

Kevin Harvick may not have any wins since the very early portion of the season, but the defending Sprint Cup Champion has been quietly hanging around the entire season.

At New Hampshire, Harvick picked up his 13th top-5 finish of the season and continued to stretch out his overall points lead that he has on the rest of the drivers. What makes Harvick so dangerous is that he has high finishes, which makes it hard for anyone to close the points gap on him.

He’s looking ready for September, and that’s a scary thought for everyone else.

4. Don’t sleep on Team Penske either

Brad Keselowski and Joey Logano are two hungry drivers that could very well shake up the dynamics of “The Chase” this season. While eyes are on Joe Gibbs Racing or Hendrick Motorsports, the two men from Team Penske both have their spots to compete in the postseason of NASCAR and both have looked dangerous the last two weeks.

At Kentucky, both fought for the win but fell just short to Kyle Busch. The same happened again to the duo this week at NASCAR, but they’re starting to run well at the right time.

If they keep it going, they will be a factor when it comes to deciding this year’s championship.

5. Adam Sandler is a great grand marshal

Every time Adam Sandler has another terrible movie coming out, he gets to be the grand marshal for a NASCAR race. While his movies might not be well, he is an entertaining grand marshal.

He puts effort, consistency and gets into the role of telling drivers to start their engines.

He may not be method acting on the big screen, but he is on the track. If the price of seeing Sandler at the race track is another critically panned movie, so be it.

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