Busch sees his opening and does not hesitate

He gets no points, but plenty of satisfaction, for All-Star race victory

CONCORD, N.C. — In a race built on brave, bold moments, Kyle Busch used one to win NASCAR’s annual All-Star race and its $1 million prize.

Busch used an aggressive three-wide pass for the lead Saturday night to take the All-Star event for the first time.

“It was now or never,” Busch said.

Although the race does not count in the standings, it was Busch’s first Cup victory of the season and first at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Busch also won the Truck Series race Friday night, but the victory Saturday was the first time he’s ever been to victory lane at Charlotte in a Cup car.

His winning ways in lower divisions often gives fans a sour taste, but Busch was cheered as he excitedly pumped the checkered f lag.

“I think they were just glad to see a new winner,” he joked.

Busch dove low around Brad Keselowski and Jimmie Johnson on the restart to take the lead on the final 10-lap sprint. This year’s format pitted 10 drivers against each other for 10 final laps with the money on the line.

“I wouldn’t take anyone else but Kyle Busch on a restart,” said crew chief Adam Stevens.

Clean air was the difference, and Busch was untouchable once out front.

“We have never won in Charlotte in a Cup car and we finally did that,” Busch said from victory lane. “We won a million dollars. There is reason to celebrate big.”

Kyle Larson, winner of the first two 20-lap segments and the clear car to beat, finished second. He was stymied by a slow final pit stop that prevented him from restarting as the leader.

“My pit crew has been awesome all year. We came down pit road the leader and three people passed up. That was pretty much the difference,” Larson said. “With 10 laps, track position is huge and we just didn’t have it at the end. We had the best car out there for sure.”

He was highly disappointed and said finished second “sucks (expletive).”

Johnson won the second segment to advance, but let the win get away on the restart for the finale.

“I drove too hard,” Johnson said. “I saw a million dollars out the windshield and I drove too hard.”

INDYCAR: In Indianapolis, Sebastien Bourdais was taken to a hospital Saturday after slamming head-on into the SAFER barrier during Indianapolis 500 qualifying. Safety team members spent about 10 minutes getting the Frenchman out of the car before placing him on a backboard. He was awake, alert and was taken to Indiana University Methodist Hospital for further observation.