Matt Kenseth celebrates in Victory Lane after winning the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series auto race at Kansas Speedway in Kansas City, Kan., Sunday, Oct. 21, 2012. (AP Photo/Orlin Wagner)
14 cautions. A race that had many fans scratching their heads and wondering if they weren’t watching Bristol instead of Kansas on Sunday afternoon. Drivers were making contact with each other and the wall as a series of right tires gave away. The number of cautions at Kansas Speedway set a record for the entire 2012 season.
At the end of the wildness, it was Matt Kenseth who would win the Hollywood Casino 400 from the 1.5 mile tri-oval track. Kenseth, was one of several drivers involved in incidents. Kenseth brushed the wall after Aric Almirola spun off turn two trying to pass Mark Martin.
The win was Kenseth’s second in the last three races, Talladega Superspeedway was the site of Kenseth’s last win, and his third of the 2012 season. This is the first time Kenseth has been to victory lane at Kansas Speedway. The win left Kenseth emotional in victory lane as he was being interviewed by ESPN’s Jerry Punch. As you may recall, Kenseth is leading Roush-Fenway Racing at season’s end for Joe Gibbs Racing and has been anything but a lame duck since the September announcement.
“I really got to thank God and all the opportunities He’s put in front me and all the guidance He’s given me through pretty much my whole life, not just (racing),” Kenseth said. “I really want to thank Jack Roush, Robbie Reiser, Mark Martin. Without them guys, I never would have been at Roush Fenway Racing.”
Aside from the weirdness on the track, there was some weirdness off the track as Rick Hendrick made the early announcement that Dale Earnhardt, Jr. was expected to be in the car next weekend at Martinsville instead of Regan Smith; however, this was changed to possibly cleared as Earnhardt will have a closed test at Gresham Motorsports Park on Monday, which will be attended by his neurologist, and then on Tuesday will be seen by the doctor in his office.
“I didn’t read my emails this morning,” Hendrick said. “I spoke too soon. I do apologize. I’ve been scolded severely. I promise I will keep my mouth shut.”
Speaking of Smith, he finsihed seventh in his second race in the No. 88 Chevrolet.
NASCAR Sprint Cup Series points leader, Brad Keselowski, finished the race in eighth and now has a seven point lead over second place Jimmie Johnson.
The next race for the Sprint Cup Series is Sunday, October 28, at Martinsville Speedway.
Race Results: (Bold Shows Chase Drivers)
- Matt Kenseth
- Martin Truex Jr.
- Paul Menard
- Kasey Kahne
- Tony Stewart
- Clint Bowyer
- Regan Smith
- Brad Keselowski
- Jimmie Johnson
- Jeff Gordon
- Kevin Harvick
- Marcos Ambrose
- Denny Hamlin
- Carl Edwards
- Jamie McMurray
- Juan Pablo Montoya
- Travis Kvapil
- Landon Cassill
- Joey Logano
- David Ragan
- Trevor Bayne
- Timmy Hill
- David Gilliland
- Mark Martin
- Kurt Busch
- Sam Hornish Jr.
- Greg Biffle
- Jeff Burton
- Aric Almirola
- Ryan Newman
- Kyle Busch
- Danica Patrick
- Bobby Labonte
- Scott Speed
- AJ Allmendinger
- Mike Bliss
- Casey Mears
- Kelly Bires
- Dave Blaney
- Joe Nemechek
- Reed Sorenson
- JJ Yeley
- Michael McDowell
