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Runner-Up Kurt Busch: ‘I Left That One On The Table’

Kurt Busch’s first victory at Talladega Superspeedway will have to wait a little longer. And it’s a crushing realization for the driver of the No. 41 Stewart-Haas Racing Ford.

“You wish you could go over and do it again,” Busch said.

Disappointment comes naturally for second-place, where Busch finished in the GEICO 500. This run, however, was particularly unfulfilling for Busch, who had SHR teammate Kevin Harvick on his bumper in the final laps.

A two-on-one against leader Joey Logano didn’t give either SHR man a trophy, as Ricky Stenhouse Jr. shook up the top spots in the last laps.

“Two Stewart-Haas cars running second and third should have been able to pull this off,” he said. “Stenhouse came up from behind and tried to make some moves. Nine times out of 10, the No. 17 car is going to be the guy to beat at a plate race.

“When he got to my bumper the one time and pushed me by Kevin, he didn’t get to stay with me. I lost track of him.”

Logano held on for the win while Busch and Harvick settled for second and third.

“I feel I left that one out on the table,” he said. “If I had to do it over again, I just had to manage the run the No. 17 had on me.”

Despite the distasteful ending, Busch left Talladega with some positives. Through 35 Talladega starts, Sunday was his best finish. Additionally, the No. 41 started the day with radio issues, which left him solo on pit road during the pace laps. He overcame the problem to lead fives laps and grab his first top-five finish of 2018.

“It takes two cars to break through the leader,” he said. “I’m glad a Ford one, it wasn’t the right one.”

About the author

Growing up in Easton, Pa., Zach Catanzareti has grown his auto racing interest from fandom to professional. Joining Frontstretch in 2015, Zach enjoys nothing more than being at the track, having covered his first half-season of 18 races in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series in 2017. With experience behind the wheel, behind the camera and in the media center, he thrives on being an all-around reporter.

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kb

Yes Kurt, it was the correct one. That Ford led the most laps. LOL.

Phil

good run for the Outlaw

DoninAjax

“I’m glad a Ford one”

Was that the won mistake?