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Kurt Busch's bid for redemption took a major step forward as he held off Denny Hamlin to win the 250-lap Nationwide Series race at Richmond International Raceway on Friday evening.
Driving a Toyota for his younger brother's Kyle Busch Motorsports, Kurt battled side-by-side furiously with Hamlin's similar car in the closing laps to one of the closest victories at the three-quarter mile race track.
Kevin Harvick, who had dominated in a Chevrolet, finished third.
"It was an amazing run tonight. To get KBM its' first win," Busch said. Younger brother, Kyle Busch said "This is the most emotional I've ever been for a win."
Talking about Hamlin, Busch said "It was unbelievable racing with him. I was pacing myself and pacing myself, and -- boom! -- he came out of nowhere at the end."
Busch, a Sprint Cup champion, parted ways with Penske Racing last year and is now driving for the one-car, James Finch Racing in Sprint Cup, and a part-time schedule for his younger brother in the Nationwide Series.
"I wanted to be fair," Hamlin, said "it was just one lap too late."
"I drove for everything. I drove qualifying laps for the last 150 laps and made up a lot of time and was just a few feet short," said Hamlin.
Ricky Stenhouse Jr., the Nationwide Series points leader was fourth in a Ford.
"We weren't the best we have been here but we weren't terrible. There were times in the race I felt we had the best car in parts of the run but couldn't put the whole run together. Not a bad night," said Stenhouse.
Ryan Blaney, the 18-year old son of Dave Blaney opened some eyes with a seventh place in his series debut.
Travis Pastrana the extreme sports super star finished 22nd in his delayed and official NASCAR debut. Danica Patrick finished 21st.
Driving a Toyota for his younger brother's Kyle Busch Motorsports, Kurt battled side-by-side furiously with Hamlin's similar car in the closing laps to one of the closest victories at the three-quarter mile race track.
Kevin Harvick, who had dominated in a Chevrolet, finished third.
"It was an amazing run tonight. To get KBM its' first win," Busch said. Younger brother, Kyle Busch said "This is the most emotional I've ever been for a win."
Talking about Hamlin, Busch said "It was unbelievable racing with him. I was pacing myself and pacing myself, and -- boom! -- he came out of nowhere at the end."
Busch, a Sprint Cup champion, parted ways with Penske Racing last year and is now driving for the one-car, James Finch Racing in Sprint Cup, and a part-time schedule for his younger brother in the Nationwide Series.
"I wanted to be fair," Hamlin, said "it was just one lap too late."
"I drove for everything. I drove qualifying laps for the last 150 laps and made up a lot of time and was just a few feet short," said Hamlin.
Ricky Stenhouse Jr., the Nationwide Series points leader was fourth in a Ford.
"We weren't the best we have been here but we weren't terrible. There were times in the race I felt we had the best car in parts of the run but couldn't put the whole run together. Not a bad night," said Stenhouse.
Ryan Blaney, the 18-year old son of Dave Blaney opened some eyes with a seventh place in his series debut.
Travis Pastrana the extreme sports super star finished 22nd in his delayed and official NASCAR debut. Danica Patrick finished 21st.