Bass Pro Shops NRA Night Race: Kyle Busch outlasts Erik Jones to finish Bristol sweep

Kyle Busch couldn’t be stopped all week at Bristol, and he finished off a perfect week on Saturday night.

Most drivers don’t celebrate by climbing on top of their car after taking the checkered flag and sweeping it off with a broom. But most drivers aren’t Kyle Busch, and he deserved to showboat a little bit after his week at Bristol Motor Speedway.

It wasn’t easy for Busch, who was pushed to his limits by rookie Erik Jones, who started on the pole and led triple-digit laps. Matt Kenseth was in the mix as well, but the 18 was fast enough when it mattered, giving Busch the Truck Series, XFINITY Series and Cup Series victories.

The sweep has only been possible for the last 22 seasons as the Camping World Truck Series didn’t exist prior to that. Busch first turned the trick in 2010, and he was the man to beat in all three series this week.

In the Bass Pro Shops NRA Night Race, Busch didn’t have to overcome any speeding penalties like he did in the other two races. Busch’s first challenger on Saturday night was Kyle Larson, who engaged in a thrilling back and forth battle for the lead before the 18 finally came out on top to win Stage 1.

Busch and most of the leaders pitted for tires near the end of Stage 2 after an incident involving Austin Dillon and Jeffrey Earnhardt. Kenseth stayed out and had enough to stay out in front for a very important stage win.

Jones looked like he may be the story, as the rookie was strong enough to fend off some challenges from Busch in the final stage. But after he, Busch and Kenseth engaged in an all-Toyota battle, he saw the lead slip away. His 78 wasn’t as strong in the top groove, which as usual at Bristol, became the faster line in the late stages.

Now the question is whether or not Busch has become the favorite for the 2017 NASCAR Cup Series championship. He certainly seems to be peaking at the right time, which is bad news for the rest of the field. Everyone will get a week off to regroup before heading to Darlington on Sept. 3.

2017 Bass Pro Shops NRA Night Race results

1. Kyle Busch
2. Erik Jones
3. Denny Hamlin
4. Matt Kenseth
5. Kurt Busch
6. Ryan Newman
7. Trevor Bayne
8. Kevin Harvick
9. Kyle Larson
10. Ryan Blaney
11. Jimmie Johnson
12. Jamie McMurray
13. Joey Logano
14. Ricky Stenhouse Jr.
15. Daniel Suarez
16. Paul Menard
17. David Ragan
18. Chase Elliott
19. Clint Bowyer
20. Michael McDowell
21. Martin Truex Jr.
22. A.J. Allmendinger
23. Dale Earnhardt Jr.
24. Kasey Kahne
25. Danica Patrick
26. Matt DiBenedetto
27. Chris Buescher
28. Corey LaJoie
29. Brad Keselowski
30. J.J. Yeley
31. Gray Gaulding
32. B.J. McLeod
33. Cole Whitt
34. Joey Gase
35. Landon Cassill
36. Ty Dillon
37. Aric Almirola
38. Reed Sorensen
39. Austin Dillon
40. Jeffrey Earnhardt