The combination of a new tire combination and radically changing temperatures proved challenging to the Sprint Cup drivers on Saturday.
On his first run during Saturday morning’s first practice, Kyle Busch spun and slammed into the outside wall. He will go to a backup car for Sunday’s Hollywood Casino 400 and start from the rear of the field.
Brother Kurt Busch will join him at the rear. Shortly after cleanup from Kyle’s accident was completed and cars returned to the track, Kurt hit the outside wall as he tried to clear the Ford of Marcos Ambrose, who appeared to be scrubbing his tires.
Contact with the wall destroyed Kurt’s No. 78 Chevrolet, and his crew rolled out the backup.
Late in the same session, Matt Kenseth had a close call, spinning on the apron exiting pit road on cold tires. Kenseth’s car escaped damage, however, and he’ll keep his seventh-place starting position for Sunday’s race.
