Not even failing post-qualifying inspection could stop NASCAR’s Big Three. And when Kevin Harvick fell apart in the second half of the Gander Outdoors 400, Kyle Busch was there to pick up the slack.
Busch survived a handful of late restarts out front at Pocono Raceway to win Sunday’s (July 29) Gander Outdoors 400. Busch led a race-high 52 laps and scooted away in NASCAR Overtime once teammates Daniel Suarez and Erik Jones started fighting for second. It was his sixth win this season, tying Harvick in that category while adding to a commanding lead in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series standings.
Suarez wound up a career-best second, followed by Alex Bowman. Harvick and Jones rounded out the top-five finishers.
The race took a decidedly different turn when rookie Darrell Wallace Jr.’s brakes failed entering Turn 1 on Lap 154. Wallace wrecked hard but emerged unhurt, bunching up the field for a wild finish.
Harvick, like Busch, came from the rear of the field after failing NASCAR post-qualifying inspection. But the No. 4 team was undone by contact with Aric Almirola on pit road after a caution midway through the final stage. Several pit stops were needed to fix the damage, pushing Harvick outside the top 25. He made his way to fourth by the finish but both Stewart-Haas Racing teammates emerged displeased with one another.
This story will be updated.
About the author
The author of Did You Notice? (Wednesdays) Tom spends his time overseeing Frontstretch’s 40+ staff members as its majority owner and Editor-in-Chief. Based outside Philadelphia, Bowles is a two-time Emmy winner in NASCAR television and has worked in racing production with FOX, TNT, and ESPN while appearing on-air for SIRIUS XM Radio and FOX Sports 1's former show, the Crowd Goes Wild. He most recently consulted with SRX Racing, helping manage cutting-edge technology and graphics that appeared on their CBS broadcasts during 2021 and 2022.
You can find Tom’s writing here, at CBSSports.com and Athlonsports.com, where he’s been an editorial consultant for the annual racing magazine for 15 years.
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