Truex masters NASCAR field at Kentucky

SPARTA, Kentucky — Martin Truex Jr. was dominant throughout and had enough left on a final restart to win the NASCAR Cup race at Kentucky Speedway on Saturday night.

Second in points entering the 400-mile event, Truex started second beside Kyle Busch and won the first two stages. Truex led the final segment by as many as 15 seconds before a final caution created overtime and bunched the field together.

That made no difference as Truex flew past Busch on the restart and went on to his third victory of the season and 10th of his career. He led five times for 152 of 274 laps in the No. 78 Toyota to draw within a point of standings leader Kyle Larson, who finished second in a Chevy.

Chase Elliott was third in a Chevy, followed by Denny Hamlin and Busch in Toyotas. Busch led 112 laps, but fell short of his third Kentucky victory.

Truex wasn’t inclined to let anyone get close in earning his first Kentucky triumph.

Pole winner Busch pounced right away and led the first 66 laps but often had Truex close by in the battle of Toyotas. Truex twice found the speed to make timely passes and ultimately took the first two stages, but he saved his best for the last segment.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. led three laps and finished 12th, one spot higher than he started in his final Kentucky start.