Kyle Busch Leads Every Lap In Perfect Phoenix Nationwide Series Performance

Race winner Kyle Busch stopped his car on the start/finish line, climbed out and looked ready to do his traditional post-victory bow. But instead, he pointed to pit road.

There, runner-up Carl Edwards interrupted an interview to wave back. And really, that was all Edwards could do.

Busch became the first driver since 2003 to lead a Nationwide race from wire-to-wire, pacing all 200 laps in Saturday afternoon’s Bashas’ Supermarkets 200 at Phoenix International Raceway.

In doing so, Busch made it 2-for-2 at Phoenix so far this weekend, setting the stage for perhaps another weekend sweep – which only he has achieved in NASCAR history.

The victory was Busch’s 88th win across all three series, which leaves him in fourth place on the all-time list. And he’s still only 25 years old.

Busch dominated the entire event – as evidenced by leading every lap – but Edwards gave him an incredible challenge with about 20 laps to go.

Busch’s No. 18 car had started to get loose in Turns 3 and 4, which allowed Edwards to gain ground. Several times, Edwards was even inside Busch and looked ready to make a pass – but he couldn’t quite complete the move.

Eventually, after about a half-dozen laps of intense battle, Edwards fell back and Busch went on to victory.

Since Edwards and Busch have had their on-track differences before, why didn’t Edwards use his bumper on the 18 car?

“You’ve got to do the best you can to go out and race everyone with the most respect you can,” Edwards said. “Today, Kyle’s car was the best, and it’s fun to be able to race like that.

“It’s frustrating to lose them, but it’s better to lose them that way than it is to win by running into somebody.”

Edwards also mentioned “this is a new year,” which Busch said was likely a major reason Edwards didn’t do anything.

“It’s early in the year, that’s why,” Busch said. “If it was the fall Phoenix race, I’d be backed in (the fence) right now. ... You never know with him. He can surprise you sometimes.”

Kevin Harvick was third, Ryan Newman was fourth and Reed Sorenson was fifth. Danica Patrick finished 17th, three laps down.

Sorenson is the points leader, by five points over Ricky Stenhouse Jr.