On a night when Kyle Busch’s antics once again stole the spotlight from series regulars, Kevin Harvick held on late to win the WinStar 350 Camping World Truck Series race Friday at Texas Motor Speedway.
Series leader Austin Dillon finished second (in front of his younger brother, Ty) and will carry a 20-point lead over Johnny Sauter into the final race of the season Nov. 18 at Homestead-Miami Speedway in Florida.
Dillon and championship contender James Buescher fought fender to fender for second place over the closing laps as Harvick enjoyed a comfortable lead.
The finish was set up with seven laps to go when David Starr’s engine problems forced a caution. Harvick had a four-second lead over Buescher and Dillon at that point, but the field rebunched for the final restart.
During the last caution, Buescher apparently ran out of fuel and was forced to pit road, where he was lapped as his crew struggled to restart the truck.
Although series top guns Dillon and Buescher ran in the top three to keep their race for the championship afire, much of the night’s discussion centered on Busch, whose actions early in the race sent tremors through the garage area and grandstands as the night took a crazy turn.
Busch and Ron Hornaday, who had been in the hunt for the series championship, touched as they raced side by side while lapping a truck on lap 14. The contact sent both trucks into the outside wall, but both were able to continue.
The caution flag fell, but Busch, upset at Hornaday for crowding him as they raced, accelerated and pushed the rear of Hornaday’s truck until Hornaday swerved and slammed hard into the outside wall. Busch’s truck also hit the wall again.
NASCAR parked Busch immediately. Hornaday’s truck was damaged so heavily he could not return.
Harvick owns the Hornaday truck that was smashed.
“Kyle showed his immaturity and why he’s one of those guys who can’t stand to lose and a poor loser,” Harvick said. “It’s unfortunate for Ron. It’s unfortunate he got involved with guys running for the championship. At some point, he’ll feel the pain.”
