After early exits in the first day of the Race of Champion exhibition Saturday in Miami, Kyle and Kurt Busch returned on Sunday in hopes of winning the Nations Cup for the United States of America, but were swept in the finale by Germany’s Sebastian Vettel.
The brothers, representing Team USA NASCAR, were in Group A with USA IndyCar, USA Rally and ROC Factor Canada.
As a reminder, here's today's #ROCMiami Nations Cup draw. Make your pick! pic.twitter.com/ttuPzs7kOu
— Race Of Champions (@RaceOfChampions) January 22, 2017
Kurt Busch’s struggles from Saturday continued in his first race against IndyCar driver James Hinchcliffe. The Canadian driver beat Kurt Busch by .002 of a second. The NASCAR representative would bounce back in his next race, beating action sports star and former NASCAR driver Travis Pastrana.
Photo finish: James Hinchcliffe beats Kurt Busch by inches at #ROCMiami https://t.co/9oj7NJE4QE
— Race Of Champions (@RaceOfChampions) January 22, 2017
In Kyle Busch’s first race of the day, he faced and beat karting champion Stefan Rzadzinski of Canada. He followed it up by beating Scott Speed.
This is the big moment for ROC Factor winner @rzadracing! He takes on @KyleBusch in the @vuhl. Busch just about makes it! #ROCMiami pic.twitter.com/UBr0YgctVk
— Race Of Champions (@RaceOfChampions) January 22, 2017
After six races, Team USA NASCAR and IndyCar had four wins each and faced each other in the semifinal round. But the Busch brothers prevailed over Ryan Hunter-Reay and Alexander Rossi from USA IndyCar to advance to the Nations Cup final against Vettel, who represented Germany by himself.
But Vettel swept the race, betting Kurt then Kyle Busch to claim the Nations Cup. Vettel swept all of his races, finishing Sunday with seven wins.
Sebastian Vettel single-handedly wins the #ROCMiami Nations Cup for #TeamGermany #unbeaten https://t.co/gARg8IWwHn
— Race Of Champions (@RaceOfChampions) January 22, 2017