Last Sunday, lucky ticket-holders to the Overton’s 400 at the Chicagoland Speedway were witness to one of the most memorable races in the History of NASCAR. In the very last laps, Toyota number 19 driven by Kyle Busch was pinned to the wall by Kyle Larson. Busch, feeling entitled to some form of retaliation, put later his bumper to the back of Larson, spinning him off track and taking his fifth victory of the season. Kyle Busch answered to the boos from the stands with a: “If you don’t like that kind of racing, don’t even watch”. Truth is, most fans, Busch admirers and detractors alike, came out of the circuit ‘on a high’.

With this victory, Busch widens his distance at the head of the rankings with 736 points, followed by Harvick with 674 and Logano with 614.

This dramatic ending was just the icing on the cake for what was a truly magnificent race from start to finish. It is already being classed as one of the 10 best races in the history of NASCAR. Sunday’s race showed this kind of electrifying and spectacular competition is still possible in NASCAR. The Overton 400 however, also met a combination of factors that made this kind excellent racing possible; the age of the track, the temperature, the time of day and of course, the thirst for victory of both Kyles.

The Monster Energy Cup series on Sunday was also a great victory for NASCAR and stock-car racing in general. It thrilled fans and media alike, rekindling the fire for the competition and making everyone eager to see what happens this coming weekend in Daytona.

Plate-racing in Daytona

Next weekend, wrapped in the festive and patriotic spirit of the 4th of July celebrations, will take place the Coke Zero Sugar 400 at the Daytona International Speedway.

Daytona’s circuit is one of two at the Monster Cup to use restrictor plates. These are devices placed in the engine which limit its power, reducing acceleration and total speed. As a result, drivers tend to go in packs for most of the race in order to gain speed by reducing wind resistance. This kind of formation, however, favours multiple-car crashings.

Despite the ‘three big ones’ Kevin Harvick, Kyle Busch and Martin Truex Jr always being good candidates for victory, plate racing is unpredictable which means, anyone could win. Clint Bowyer or Kyle Larson, for instance, could stand a chance given their fabulous season so far. Perhaps the ‘cuban missile’ Aric Almirola from Ford, who led at Chicagoland for 70 laps, could be the winner, who knows?. One thing is certain though, everyone in NASCAR is riding on adrenaline to Daytona.

By T.C. | Photo www.nascar.com