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KURT BUSCH – 2017 Phoenix I Race Report

Event:               Camping World 500k (Round 4 of 36)
Series:               Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series 
Location:          Phoenix International Raceway (1-mile oval) 
Format:             312 laps, broken into three stages (75 laps/75 laps/162 laps)
Start/Finish:      11th/25th (Running, completed 314 of 314 laps) 
Point Standing: 9th (105 points, 79 out of first) 
Race Winner:    Ryan Newman of Richard Childress Racing in overtime (Chevrolet)

Stage 1 Recap (Laps 1-75):

  • Kurt Busch started 11th, finished 18th.
  • Battled a loose-handling condition on corner entry and tight through the middle for much of the Stage.
  • Reported that his voltage meter was flashing on lap 29 and was forced him to shut off everything but the fan for the rear gear.
  • Visited pit road twice at the conclusion of Stage 1 to replace both batteries, take four tires, fuel and chassis adjustments.
  • Received a speeding penalty on pit road, and was held for one lap as a penalty. 

Stage 2 Recap (Laps 76-150):

  • Started 36th, finished 33rd.
  • Continued to experience electrical issues.
  • Brushed the wall on lap 138.
  • Visited pit road twice under caution to replace a battery, take four tires, fuel and chassis adjustments.
  • Visited pit road at the conclusion of Stage 2 to replace a battery, take four tires, fuel and chassis adjustments.

Final Stage Recap (Laps 151-312):

  • Started 33rd, finished 25th.
  • Visited pit road twice under caution to replace a battery, take four tires, fuel and chassis adjustments.
  • Got the free pass when the caution flag waved on lap 206 to get back on the lead lap.
  • Continued to experience electrical issues. Due to not being able to use his fans, had intermittent brake issues.

Notes:

  • Busch made his 29th Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series start at Phoenix.
  • Busch led lap 79.
  • For the second consecutive week, electrical issues plagued the No. 41 team. 

Next Up:                                                                        

The next event on the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series schedule is the Auto Club 400 on Sunday, March 26 at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, California. The race starts at 3:30 p.m. EDT with live coverage provided by FOX.