Kenseth wins Busch Series Race, struggles in Cup race
by Rouch Racing Staff
posting by Cambridge Lions
Matt Kenseth picked up a win in the Busch series on Friday night under teh lights at Darlington Raceway, but he fought a loose race car all night under the lights at the Darlington Raceway and ended up with a 26th place finish in the Nextel Cup No. 17 Carhartt/DEWALT Ford Taurus. The race weekend at Darlington began with rain as Thursday’s practive sessions were wshed out and rescheduled in abbreviated from for Friday morning adn qualified in teh 31st starting position later in the afternoon. Despite his performance during practice adn qualifying, Kenseth was hopeful that the No. 17 would be more competitive as the sun set around the track. Kenseth noted that his Busch car improved as teh night wore on as he drove it into victory lane.
Kenseth looked as if his charge to the front of teh field on Friday night wold be repeated as he steadily moved through the field in the early going of the Cup event. Having started 31st, Kenseth drove his way into the 16th position by lap 18. At the time he radioed to crew chief, Robbie Reiser, that the No. 17 was “way too loose.” That would turn out to be Kenseth’s batle throughout the night — fighting the loose race car.
When the third caution of the evening flew on lap 39, Kenseth brought the No. 17 Carhartt Ford in for adjustments, receiving four fresh tires, air pressure adjustments and two turns of wedge into the left rear. The crew completed the stop in 13.6 seconds and Kenseth restarted the racein teh 27th position on lap 44, having come in for his top in 30th place…..