Kyle Busch’s quest to win his second career Sprint Cup race at his hometown track ended when Brad Keselowski passed him for the lead six laps from the end at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
Busch, who led 38 laps, foreshadowed the finish when he reported a “really bad vibration” with 12 laps to go. Keselowski got by teammate Joey Logano, who placed second, and then easily got by Busch.
After getting passed for the lead, Busch radioed his team: “I wish there was more that I could do, but I don’t have it.’’
The reigning Sprint Cup champion finished fourth after Jimmie Johnson nipped him at the finish line for third place.
Still, Busch’s result marked his seventh consecutive top-five finish, dating back to the end of last season. The Joe Gibbs Racing driver has finished no worse than fourth this season, scoring third-place results in the Daytona 500 and last weekend at Atlanta Motor Speedway.
“Good effort, man, good effort all weekend,’’ crew chief Adam Stevens radioed Busch after the race.
Busch, who won this event in 2009, was not thrilled with his finish. “ … fantastic to give one away,’’ he responded on the radio.