Nemechek holds off Busch to win Truck Series in Las Vegas
LAS VEGAS, March 6, (AP): John Hunter Nemechek beat boss Kyle Busch, ending Busch’s three-race winning streak at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, with a victory in the NASCAR Truck Series race.
Nemechek this year stepped down two levels from the Cup Series to drive a truck for Kyle Busch Motorsports. He figured in the right equipment, he could show he should race at NASCAR’s top level.
In just his third race driving for Busch, Nemecheck led Busch across the finish line for a 1-2 KBM finish. It was Nemechek’s sixth career Truck Series victory, first since 2018. He spent 2019 in the Xfinity Series and last year running Cup.
“We’re here for wins,” Nemechek said.
Busch rallied from a lap down to finish second.
“It’s cool to see John Hunter have a shot and get back in victory lane,” Busch said.
Nemechek had just three top-10 finishes in Cup last year and was out of his ride at the end of the season. Rather than join a team not capable of winning races, he dropped down to drive Busch’s truck to prove he’s competitive.
He got a big push from Busch on a restart with six to go and then drove away from Busch. It was the first win of what Busch believes can be a big season for the 24-year-old.
“Maybe he’ll win eight, 10 races and get back upstairs,” Busch said.
TRUCK RACING
It was the first Truck Series start of the season for Busch, who by NASCAR rules is limited to only five events a year in each of the lower divisions. He has made his KBM debut at his home track the last three seasons with three consecutive victories.
Busch started 29th but drove to the front to win the second stage as Toyota drivers crossed the finish line first through sixth. But his own hired driver never stopped challenging him and a flat left tire with 45 laps remaining nearly ended Busch’s race.
He saved the truck from wrecking at speed but as he slowed the truck down, Busch then spun to bring out the caution. The caution mitigated the damage and Busch was down just one lap and in 29th on the restart.
Using expletives as he addressed his team, Busch lectured KBM that the only way to lose a race is to beat themselves.