Martin Truex Jr. continued his dominance in stages, winning the opening stage of Saturday night’s Quaker State 400 at Kentucky Speedway.
Truex passed Kyle Busch for the lead on Lap 68 and cruised to win the stage on Lap 80.
Truex has a series-high 12 stage wins this season. He’s won four of the past seven stages, dating to last month’s race at Michigan.
Busch was second at the end of the stage. He was followed by Kyle Larson, Kevin Harvick and Jamie McMurray. Matt Kenseth was sixth and followed by Denny Hamlin, Erik Jones, Jimmie Johnson and Chase Elliott.
Larson, who started at the rear because his team did not get through inspection in time to qualify on Friday, climbed into the top 10 on Lap 50. Larson passed Kenseth for fifth on Lap 67.
Ty Dillon had brake issues had to pit, falling more than a dozen laps behind before repairs were made.
There were no incidents in the opening stage.