Mooresville, NC | 10-31-2005

Kyle Busch celebrates atop the No. 15 truck after winning the EasyCare Vehicle Service Contracts 200 at Atlanta Motor Speedway.

Kyle Busch celebrates atop the No. 15 truck after winning the EasyCare Vehicle Service Contracts 200 at Atlanta Motor Speedway. (High Sierra Photo)
Heading to Atlanta Motor Speedway for the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series’ Easy Care Vehicle Service Contract 200 on Saturday, Kyle Busch knew he had a goal.  That was to bring home the victory for Billy Ballew Motorsports and team owner Billy Ballew, who hails from nearby Blairsville, Ga., as well as the numerous sponsors Ballew had lined up, all locally-owned and operated businesses from the surrounding area.  Busch made it an exciting finish, taking the lead coming out of turn four on the final lap, capturing win number three for the Billy Ballew Motorsports team in 2005.

“I don’t know how I did it,” said an excited Busch following the race.  “It was pretty wild there at the end.  I am not sure exactly how I squeezed the No. 15 National Land Liquidations/Krud Kutter Chevrolet through it but we did.  I saw the hole to make it to the finish line so I kept going for it.  The last lap today is one that no one will forget for the rest of the year.”

Busch qualified and started the No. 15 National Land Liquidations/Krud Kutter Chevrolet in the fifth position, but wasted no time in taking over the lead.  By the time the 36-truck field made it to the back straightaway on the first lap, Busch was already in first place.  Shortly thereafter, the first caution came out for a horrendous incident in turn one.  The race was red flagged for just over 30 minutes while safety and track crews cleaned the mess.  During the red flag period, Busch communicated over the radio.  “That was awesome,” referring to his daring move to take over the lead.  “I didn’t think I would be able to do that.”

The race restarted on lap five with the No. 15 remaining out front until lap 23 when the No. 5 of Mike Skinner took over.  Skinner and Busch went back and forth, swapping the lead several times until caution number three waved on lap 45.  Busch had radioed into crew chief Richie Wauters that the truck was really good, so there were minimal changes to make on the No. 15 National Land Liquidations/Krud Kutter Chevrolet during their first pit stop.  The crew changed four tires, added fuel, and removed a tear-off from the windshield and sent Busch back on his way in less than 18 seconds.  He remained in second position for the restart on lap 48.

On lap 50, Busch retook the top spot until lap 58 when a piece of debris got lodged on the front grill, causing the truck to run a little hot.  Wauters told Busch to back off a little bit and allow the No. 30 and No. 23 to get around, hoping the air circulation would remove the stuck debris.  Sure enough, as soon as Busch slid the No. 15 behind the No. 30, the debris flew off and Busch would continue.  Halfway into the 130-lap race, Busch radioed in that the truck was a little too loose off and lacking overall grip.  He had dropped back to the seventh position.  Busch and Wauters discussed what changes they would make on their next pit stop, which would take place on lap 90.

Busch brought the No. 15 National Land Liquidations/Krud Kutter Chevrolet to the attention of his pit crew for four tires with an air pressure adjustment, gas and another tear-off removed.  The crew hustled to get the job done, beating several competitors off pit road and gaining four positions in the pits.  Busch would restart back in second position with just over 30 laps remaining.  It looked as if Busch would finish in second, as the No. 60 of Jack Sprague had pulled out to a three second lead over the No. 15.  But, a caution on lap 124 changed everyone’s thinking and pit strategy.

Busch and Wauters made the decision to pit for four new GoodYear Wranglers with an air pressure adjustment.  Busch would restart in ninth position, the first driver who had decided to pit, with just four laps remaining to decide the Easy Care Vehicle Service Contracts 200.  “It’s going to be a good show,” said Busch before taking the green flag.

Coming to the green, Busch jumped on the outside and took over eighth position. By the time, the field came around to complete lap 128, Busch was in fourth place.  Lap 129 had him in the third position.  Busch was charging hard with the four fresh tires.  Turn three of the final lap, Busch took over second place and had one more truck and one more corner to go before the checkered flag.

The No. 60 of Sprague tried to block Busch’s attempt, but the No. 15 would have none of that, as Busch took the corner wide, even brushing the wall, as Sprague got loose and spun out causing a melee behind them.  Busch kept digging and drove the No. 15 National Land Liquidations/Krud Kutter Chevrolet to the checkered flag.

“I faked going into his inside through the corner and he got a bit loose and started sliding up the race track, then he drove up right into my door,” explains Busch.  “I had already committed to the topside; he forced us up into the outside wall. I looked in my mirror and saw all the stuff happening and I saw that there was no one around me, that I was going to come across first and that was all that mattered at that point in time.  It is a shame to see my favorite Chevy Silverado torn up.  Hopefully, my guys can get it repaired in time for Texas.  I’m so happy to have won this for Billy Ballew and this whole team.  I love running the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series and to win here in Billy’s hometown with several local sponsors like Krud Kutter and Earl Small’s Harley-Davidson makes it even more special.”

Team owner Billy Ballew was just as ecstatic following the race held at his home track, Atlanta Motor Speedway.  “This win means more to me than anything,” said Ballew.  “I started in racing in 1996 and my first race was here at Atlanta Motor Speedway in an ARCA car with Tony & Mark Gibson.  I would rather win here and win zero money than win the Indy 500.  And for every name on that truck to be from the Atlanta area is very special to me and this team.  Kyle did an outstanding job and I’m so proud of him and this whole No. 15 team.”

The NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series heads to Texas Motor Speedway for this Friday night’s Silverado 350.  Kyle Busch will return to the seat of the No. 15 which will feature native Texan country singer Charlie Robison.