NASCAR: Kyle Busch collects his 100th win on Saturday in New Hampshire:

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Kyle Busch before the NASCAR Nationwide Series rac. Photo by LAT Photographic.

The celebration begins. Busch captured his record-. Photo by LAT Photographic.

Donuts are always an important part of every good . Photo by LAT Photographic.

clouds of smoke from burnouts are important too.. Photo by LAT Photographic.

Busch during his victory lap.. Photo by LAT Photographic.

Busch and his crew celebrate in Victory Lane.. Photo by LAT Photographic.

Busch is joined by his wife, crew and trophy for p. Photo by LAT Photographic.

Congrats Kyle!. Photo by LAT Photographic.

By AL PEARCE on 7/16/2011

Kyle Busch tied the all-time Nationwide Series win record at 49 and notched his 100th career major NASCAR win in Saturday afternoon's New England 200 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. Driving a Toyota for Joe Gibbs Racing, the 26-year-old Las Vegas native led the last 33 of the 206 laps in winning the season's fifth overtime race.

Fellow Cup stars Kevin Harvick and Kasey Kahne finished second and third, then full-time Nationwide drivers Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Aric Almirola, Kenny Wallace and Michael Annett. Pole winner Brad Keselowski--he tries to run every race in both series--was eighth. Nationwide regulars Steven Wallace and Justin Allgaier rounded out the top 10.

Busch has 14 wins this season: three in Cup, six in Nationwide and five in the Camping World Truck Series. His lifetime totals show 22 in Cup, 49 in Nationwide and 29 in the Truck Series. Only legendary Cup stars Richard Petty (200) and David Pearson (106) reached triple digits in wins in major NASCAR races. The late Dale Earnhardt and Darrell Waltrip each had 97, Martin has 96, Jeff Gordon has 89, Bobby Allison 86, and Cale Yarborough has 83.

"This is a great one because it's No. 100,” Busch said, “but I don't think it's the biggest. I think winning the first Kentucky Cup race and my first win at Las Vegas and winning all three at Bristol might be bigger. But this is so special because it gets to that number. But I'm only halfway there. I set my goal at 200 because it would be so hard to reach. If the goal is easy, it can't mean all that much.”

Seven drivers swapped the lead nine times in the 206 laps. Harvick led twice for 59 laps, Trevor Bayne led once for 58, Busch once for the final 33, Stenhouse twice for 26, Keselowski once for 22, Wallace once for five, and Carl Edwards once for three laps.

TOP 10 FINISHERS

1. Kyle Busch, Toyota

2. Kevin Harvick, Chevrolet

3. Kasey Kahne, Chevrolet

4. Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Ford

5. Aric Almirola, Chevrolet

6. Kenny Wallace, Toyota

7. Michael Annett, Toyota

8. Brad Keselowski, Dodge

9. Steven Wallace, Toyota

10. Justin Allgaier, Chevrolet

POINTS STANDINGS

1. Elliott Sadler, 673

2. Reed Sorenson, -7

3. Ricky Stenhouse Jr., - 18

4. Justin Allgaier, -41

5. Aric Almirola, -81

6. Jason Leffler, -91

7. Kenny Wallace, -102

8. Steven Wallace, -148

9. Michael Annett, -153

10. Brian Scott, -163

Next event: June 23, Nashville, Tenn.

 

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