Busch Outduels Milwaukee’s Best

In a field that consisted of several NASCAR regulars – including 2013 race winners Matt Kenseth, Johnny Sauter and David Ragan – and many of the country’s top Super Late Model drivers, Kyle Busch and his No. 51 Monster Energy Camry team proved to be the best of the best Tuesday night in the Howie Lettow Memorial 150 ARCA Midwest Tour race at the historic Milwaukee Mile. The Kyle Busch Motorsports (KBM) Toyota was the fastest car in all four practice sessions over the two-day show and followed that up by registering a new track record in qualifying. Busch continued his dominance when the green flag dropped, as the Las Vegas native led 104 laps in what turned out to be a darkness-shortened 115-lap event. As the darkness closed in, “Rowdy” distanced himself from a pair of Sauter’s, second-place finisher and defending race winner Travis and third-place finisher and Travis’ uncle Johnny, to bring home his second Super Late Model win at the 1-mile flat track.

“The KBM Chassis shop and all the guys on this Monster Energy team gave me a really fast Camry — all their hard work the last month, since we decided to run this event, really paid off tonight,” said Busch, who also won the Wisconsin All-Star 100 at the Milwaukee Mile in 2008. “This is such a cool track and it was a great turnout of both cars and fans — I’m glad we were able to work it into our schedule this year. I have to thank Monster Energy for making it possible for us to come to this race, Hamner Engine for the power, Five Star Bodies for a slick Camry and Choice Hotels for providing my guys with a place to get well rested.” 

The field was inverted for the start of the race and Busch, the top qualifier, rolled off 14^th in the 43-car field. He quickly proved that his speed in practice and qualifying was no fluke and began maneuvering his way back to the front of the field. By lap 10 he had advanced into the runner-up spot and one lap later he took the lead for the first time. He maintained the lead until a big wreck on lap 33 slowed the field for 17 laps and then held off a strong challenge from Johnny Sauter on the lap-52 restart.

By the time the next caution slowed the field on lap 67, KBM’s owner-driver had opened up a 1.3-second lead on Johnny Sauter. With caution laps counting, the event reached its halfway mark before being able to go back green, the field was froze and team’s came down pit road for adjustments. The Monster Energy team put on fresh right side tires and made an adjustment to the tape on the grill in an effort to prepare their driver for the final run, knowing it was unlikely to make it the scheduled distance.

Busch chose the outside lane for the second half restart and was able to clear Johnny Sauter. As darkness set in, it became a race not only against other competitors, but to see how many laps would be completed before darkness set in. By lap 93, he had opened up over a three-second lead and began to conserve his equipment, letting off the throttle early in the corners in an effort to conserve his tires should the field be bunched again by another caution.

On lap 110, officials announced that the race would end after five more laps. At that point, the No. 51 Monster Energy Camry had over a three-second lead on Travis Sauter and as the race proceeded caution free over the final five laps and cruised to victory.

Kyle Busch and the KBM Super Late Model Program would like to thank the following partners for their support during the Howie Lettow Memorial 150:

KBM PR

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