Kyle Busch “Bumps & Runs” to Win at Bristol [VIDEO, PHOTOS]

Posted on April 16, 2018

Kyle Busch used an old NASCAR move called the “bump & run” at Bristol Motor Speedway to score the win in the rain-delayed Food City 500.

As reported previously, the Food City 500 was stopped due to rain Sunday (4/15) at the Bristol Motor Speedway. NASCAR completed the race today.

When things got re-started it was obvious that the rain could still play a role in the outcome of the race. There were two caution periods due to rain at the track during the second day of racing at Bristol. Early on it looked as though Brad Keselowski might have a shot a scoring his first win of the 2018 NASCAr season as he was able to claim the victory in both the first and second stages of the race.

However, Kyle Larson soon made it clear that he was the car to beat on this second day of NASCAR Cup Series action at “The Last Great Coliseum.” While there were more caution periods, including one where Larson got turned around, the #42 Chevrolet was able to be out in front of the field for a race high 200 laps.

Kyle Busch was near the front and battling with Larson almost the entire time leading 117 laps in the race himself. When it came down to the end of the race, Larson got past Busch cleanly and drove off to a comfortable lead. However, as often happens a late race caution closed the gap and gave Busch another chance at Larson.

Larson was able to get out to the lead on the final re-start of the race, but with new tires on his car Busch was able to get to the bumper of the #42 Chevrolet and hit him to get him loose and pass him. That allowed Busch to lead the race for the final six laps and claim his second 2018 win in a row. The win brings Busch’s win total to seven at Bristol Motor Speedway and gives him back-to-back wins at the track after winning the Bristol fall race in 2017.

Larson held on for a runner-up finish with Jimmie Johnson claiming the third place finish. Ricky Stenhouse Jr. and Alex Bowman rounded out the top five in fourth and fifth places respectively. See the complete race results for the Food City 500 at Bristol Motor Speedway here.

Kyle Busch’s win lets him hold on to the lead in the point standings. Joey Logano takes a leap up to second place with Kevin Harvick slipping back a spot to third. Clint Bowyer (4th) and Brad Keselowski (5th) also move into the top five following the Monday completion of the Bristol race. See the complete Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series point standings here.

The NASCAR teams have a very short week now to get ready as they stay on the short track this week as they head to Richmond Raceway for the Toyota Owners 400 Saturday night (4/21).

By: Buck Stevens

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2018 Food City 500

BRISTOL, TN - APRIL 15: Kyle Busch, driver of the #18 Skittles Toyota, takes the green flag to start the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Food City 500 at Bristol Motor Speedway on April 15, 2018 in Bristol, Tennessee. (Photo courtesy of NASCARmedia.com/by Robert Laberge/Getty Images)
BRISTOL, TN - APRIL 15: Kyle Busch, driver of the #18 Skittles Toyota, takes the green flag to start the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Food City 500 at Bristol Motor Speedway on April 15, 2018 in Bristol, Tennessee. (Photo courtesy of NASCARmedia.com/by Robert Laberge/Getty Images)

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