Rain Is Dominant Factor in Busch’s Second Win of Season

Kevin Harvick had the dominant car, but the rain was the dominant factor at Michigan International Speedway on Sunday in allowing Kurt Busch to win his second race of the season.

Busch was in the lead when the race was red flagged for the fourth time with 62 of the 200 laps still to be run.  But the rain was so heavy, NASCAR called the race and awarded the win the Busch.  It's Busch's second win this season, his third at Michigan and 27th of his career.

Busch inherited the lead when Kyle Larson was forced to come into the pits for gas.  Larson stayed out as long as he could hoping the rain would come sooner, but it came three laps too late.

When the final red flag came out Dale Earnhardt, Jr. was second with Martin Truex, Jr., Matt Kenseth and Joey Logano rounding out the Top 5.

Kevin Harvick led a race-high 63 laps and had a four second lead when he had to pit for a flat tire.  He lost two laps as a result and when the race was called Harvick was 29th.

A crash into the wall may have ended any hopes that Kyle Busch had of making the Chase for the Sprint Cup Championship.  Kyle Busch ended up 43rd.

The series takes next weekend off.  Next up is the first of the season's road course races at Sonoma, California.