Kyle wins Busch brothers battle

Younger Busch overcomes injuries for 2nd Toyota/Save Mart 350 title|

It was the final NASCAR Sprint Cup Series appearance at Sonoma Raceway for retiring Vallejo native Jeff Gordon, who was trying to add a sixth title to his legendary career. But had to settle for 16th place after Sunday’s 27th running of the Toyota/Save Mart 350 ended with a brotherly battle won by the youngest sibling.

After 10 different winners in the Valley over the past 10 years, Kyle Busch, who overcame a broken leg and foot sustained at Daytona earlier in the year drove his M&Ms Toyota to victory after holding off his older brother and 2011 winner Kurt Busch, to capture his first Toyota/Save Mart 350 title since 2008.

Marking the first time the Busch brothers finished one-two in a NASCAR race, Kyle became the third youngest driver on the circuit to reach 30 wins after Gordon and Richard Petty preceded him in attaining the feat. The 2012 Sonoma winner Clint Bowyer took third place, and finishing in fourth place was Kevin Harvick, who maintained his lead in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series point standings, with Joey Logano taking fifth place and remaining third in the point standings.

As for 2013 Toyota/Save Mart 350 champion Martin Truex Jr., his chances for a second title ended up with his car smashing head-on with the tire-built retaining wall, though he still remains second in the points standings.

Defending Toyota/Save Mart 350 champion Carl Edwards’ chance at a repeat title also ended in a crash.

With his triumph on the 1.99-mile road course, Kyle Busch became a multi-Toyota/Save Mart 350 Valley winner along with Gordon, who ends his Sonoma Raceway career with five titles (1998 through 2000, ’04 and ’06), followed by dual NASCAR winners Stewart (2001, ’05), Rusty Wallace (1990, ’96), Ernie Irvan (1992, ’94) and Ricky Rudd (1989, 2002).

The Valley’s most attended major motorsports event had its largest attendance in a decade. It is being attributed to Sunday’s Toyota/Save Mart 350 being Gordon’s final appearance at Sonoma Raceway, where he’s considered the king of NASCAR with his five titles, best-ever five pole positions, and 14 top-five finishes.

•••

Sonoma Raceway’s major events season continues with back-to-back NHRA weekends on the Valley’s drag strip, featuring will feature the 28th annual Sonoma Nationals from July 31 to Aug. 2, preceded by the annual Division 7 Drag Races from July 24 to 26.

The Verizon IndyCar Series weekend is set for Aug. 28 to 30, and its championship will, for the first time, be decided on a road course and include double points being awarded for the season finale at the 11th annual GoPro Grand Prix of Sonoma on Sunday, Aug. 30.

Again, Sonoma’s season ends with the Classic Sports Racing Group’s Charity Challenge on Oct. 3 and 4.

•••

For major event tickets and ticket packages, including the all-encompassing Track Pass, for Wednesday Night Drags details, or for general Sonoma Raceway information, call 800-870-RACE (7223) or visit racesonoma.com or ticketmaster.com. Camping is available for all major events.

UPDATED: Please read and follow our commenting policy:
  • This is a family newspaper, please use a kind and respectful tone.
  • No profanity, hate speech or personal attacks. No off-topic remarks.
  • No disinformation about current events.
  • We will remove any comments — or commenters — that do not follow this commenting policy.