Dominating performances were on tap this past weekend, as the winners of all three major NASCAR series’ races — and the winner of the ARCA race — didn’t flinch an inch in the final stretches before capturing their respective checkered flags. And CV Products Trackside was there for all the action.
Here’s where we were and what we saw:
North Carolina Education Lottery 200
Series: NASCAR Camping World Truck Series
When: Friday, May 16
Racetrack: Charlotte Motor Speedway — Charlotte, NC
Race recap: After Friday night’s dominating performance at Charlotte Motor Speedway, Kyle Busch appears to be untouchable, at least where the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series is concerned. Leading 130 of 134 laps after starting his truck on the pole for the North Carolina Education Lottery 200, Busch claimed his third truck series win in as many starts this season and his fourth consecutive going back to last year’s season finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway. The victory was Busch’s 38th in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series and his sixth at Charlotte. If only Busch’s odds were as good elsewhere. The Las Vegas-born driver is attempting to become the first driver to complete the IndyCar-NASCAR 1,100-mile double since 2001, and just yesterday crashed during practice for the Indianapolis 500.
Sprint All-Star Race
Series: NASCAR Sprint Cup Series
When: Saturday, May 17
Racetrack: Charlotte Motor Speedway — Charlotte, NC
Race recap: Pulling away from an intense battle with polesitter Carl Edwards to open the final 10-lap segment Saturday night, Jamie McMurray won the Sprint All-Star Race — and get this… the million-dollar-plus prize that goes with the victory. McMurray held off Kevin Harvick, who crossed the finish line just .696 seconds behind. Matt Kenseth finished third, followed by Dale Earnhardt Jr., Carl Edwards and Jimmie Johnson. Though Edwards and McMurray inched ahead of each other at various junctures after the final restart, McMurray led at the finish line for each of the final 10 laps. Once he cleared Edwards three laps into the run, McMurray pulled away for good. The 31 laps McMurray led Saturday night were the first he had ever led in the All-Star Race.
Get to Know Newton 250 presented by Sherwin Williams
Series: NASCAR Nationwide Series
When: Sunday, May 18
Racetrack: Iowa Speedway — Newton, IA
Race recap: Sam Hornish, Jr. dominated the field in the Get to Know Newton 250, leading 167 of the race’s 250 laps at the 7/8-mile track at Iowa Speedway. The rare Sunday Nationwide Series race saw Hornish pull away from his only competition, pole sitter Ryan Blaney, on a lap 229 restart. From there it was smooth driving for the part-time Joe Gibbs Racing driver who previously finished second, third or fourth in his last three starts at Iowa. Blaney, who led 80 laps, finished second, while Regan Smith, who hasn’t finished outside the top 10 all season, took third. NASCAR Nationwide Series points leader Chase Elliott and Elliott Sadler finished fourth and fifth, respectively.
Menards 200 presented by Federated Car Care
Series: ARCA Racing Series
When: Sunday, May 18
Racetrack: Toledo Speedway — Toledo, OH
Race recap: It was a festival atmosphere at Toledo Speedway on Sunday for the Menards 200 presented by Federated Car Care. Nashville band Lucy Angel performed a free concert; thousands of fans lined up for autographs; and, the perfect weather in Toledo had fans, race teams and drivers all on the edge of their seats for the 200 lap race. Justin Boston took the lead from Grant Enfinger on lap 181 and held off a charge from pole winner Mason Mitchell to take the checkered flag. It was Venturini Motorsports first win at Toledo since team owner Bill Venturini himself went to victory lane as a driver in 1987.
CV Products Trackside will visit Charlotte Motor Speedway again this weekend when we’re in town to support the Coca-Cola 600 and History 300 NASCAR races. Look for a preview of this weekend’s action to appear here on our blog later this week.
