The debate will rage on long after he retires: How great is Kyle Bush? As of this writing, he has 229 overall NASCAR wins in the Cup, Xfinity, and Truck Series. He secured his 100th victory for Kyle Busch Motorsports this past weekend at Pocono. It came on a bold last lap move over Corey Heim, one of the hottest Craftsman Truck Series drivers. Kyle has 60 Cup wins and ranks in the top ten all-time. We will never know how Busch would fare against the likes of David Pearson, Cale Yarborough, Richard Petty, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Ned Jarrett, Bobby Allison, and so many other legends. Back then, often times when there were issues and anger amongst drivers it was settled in the garage area. Would and could Kyle be able to battle the gritty drivers of that time? The best modern-day comparison may just be Jeff Gordon. Similar path in NASCAR. Just look what Jeff accomplished.
Congrats to Denny Hamlin and Austin Hill. Hamlin won the Cup event at Pocono. Hill won the wild Xfinity overtime finish. Denny got booed after a late pass and very tight racing with Kyle Larson. Many years ago, Dale Earnhardt. Jr. heard similar booing at Bristol when he rattled Terry Labonte. NASCAR isn't flag football. It is about winning and sometimes emotions and tension erupt. Larson wasn't happy. Hamlin claimed his 50th overall Cup win. He now leads all drivers at Pocono with 7 wins. This weekend the stars of the Cup Series head to the shorter track at Richmond. Won't it be fun to watch!
Over the summer, more people will be getting outside. When out traveling or on vacation, we encourage you to look around. See the farms and ranches in America. Our farmers and ranchers are doing work hard and need support. Protect the Harvest backs them. It is a Lucas Oil backed initiative. Learn more at: www.protecttheharvest.com
Salem Speedway continues to reel in fans and put on some big racing events. This past weekend was no different. Winners taking the checkered flag included: Chuck Barnes Sr., Ronnie Basham, and Cassten Everidge. The next major event at Salem is August 19th. Check out the track's website or social media for more. The half-mile banked track is about an hour from Louisville in Southern Indiana. A flat short track located just off I-65 and five minutes from downtown Louisville is the Sportsdrome Speedway. This Saturday nearly all divisions will take the green flag. This means points, points, and more points for drivers winning and getting top finishes. Time is slowly running out as the track championship finals loom. With warmer weather expected at all area tracks, please be sure to grab some water and stay hydrated. Learn more about The Drome on its website and social media. There are many great local tracks in Kentucky and Southern Indiana. Yes, you'll see Lucas Oil logos on many of them. The company loves grass roots racing! We constantly remind you to check out the websites and social media. Especially for last minute changes. And that includes issues with Mother Nature! The Ponderosa Speedway is known as Baddest Bullring in the Bluegrass state. It is a short dirt track in central Kentucky at Junction City near Danville (About an hour and fifteen minutes southeast of Louisville). Drive south to Bowling Green (KY) and you'll enjoy Beech Bend. There is an amusement park, camping, and racing. The Beech Bend dragstrip brings in the fans and has a wide range of events. Just outside of Louisville in West Point Kentucky is the Ohio Valley Dragway. It is a 1/8th mile track on Dixie Highway.
The Indy Car Series next races on the streets of Nashville August 6th. Alex Palou has to be the hottest driver in just about any racing series as of late. But Indianapolis 500 winner Josef Newgarden got the best of him at Iowa. Newgarden swept the Saturday-Sunday Indy Car Series Doubleheader! The dominant Palou still has a decent point's lead. Right behind him is Newgarden and in 3rd, the crafty veteran Scott Dixon.
The NHRA Washington Northwest Nationals had plenty of excitement. 4-time Top Fuel champ Steve Torrence finally got into the win column claiming the Top Fuel event championship. Tim Wilkerson took Funny Car, and Gaige Herrera claimed the top podium spot in Pro Stock Motorcycle. Next up for the teams is this weekend in Sonoma. Lucas Oil is a longtime supporter of the NHRA.
It is hot outside! Make sure your car, truck, motorcycle, boat, other vehicles, and lawn equipment are all running efficiently. Think Lucas Oil Products. They do so much for racing communities across America. Other sponsors of KMS include PNC Bank (Sponsor of Scott Dixon's Indy Car Series Car), Sportsdrome Speedway (Celebrating more than 77 years of Racing!), locally owned Bright Pest Control and Bright Retail in Louisville, (Offering Do-It-Yourself Professional Pest Products with a retail store), and Knox Ford in Radcliff, Kentucky) (It also has a sister dealership, Tri-County Ford in Oldham County, KY). KMS friends also include: VoiceTel Kentucky (Offering telephone service for low as $25.00 a line per month), Temco Roofing, Jim Ellis/Attorney-At-Law, ICA Dumpsters, Kentucky Raceway Ministries, Nimlok Kentucky, Dynamic Healthcare, Lyndon Mower Repair, and Kentucky Medicare Plans (Serving Kentucky and Southern Indiana with Health and Medicare plans). We also thank our media connections in all series, NASCAR and with NASCAR Media, Indy Car, Monster Jam, ARCA, and NHRA for helping us bring the sport to the fans!
