If history is any indica-tion, Matt Kenseth is on hisway to the 2013 Sprint Cupchampionship.
For the first two years theChase has opened at Chica-goland Speedway in Joliet,the winner of the GEICO400 has gone on to winNASCAR’s Sprint Cup title.
And that’s why Kenseth’svictory Sunday night issignificant.
“It matters because everysingle point is importantfrom here to the last lap atHomestead [Miami in No-vember],” Kenseth said. “Soyou want to enjoy this andthen go to New Hampshire[next week] to get as manypoints as you can.”
Kenseth entered the raceas the Sprint Cup pointsleader. He extended his leadover Kyle Busch to eight andover five-time championJimmie Johnson to 11.
Kenseth’s victory endeda long race that included
a five-hour, 10-minute raindelay and a week in whichNASCAR’s credibility wasquestioned.
With drivers reportingengine problems after therain delay, Kenseth thoughthe was having an issue, too.
“The first 30 laps didnot go well, and it was 95percent my fault,” Kensethsaid. “We took off on one re-start, and I was beside Greg[Biffle] and he drove pastme. But I think it was justthe spot I was in, so as soonas he got back in front of me,it was fine. It was probablymy imagination.”
It was Kenseth’s sixthvictory this season, his firstwith Joe Gibbs Racing andhis 30th in 500 Cup starts.Kenseth is the 22nd driver inNASCAR history to reach 30Cup victories.
“I felt like we had goodpractices and [crew chief)Jason Ratcliff put everythingtogether,” Kenseth said. “Wewere in the shadows all weekwith everything that was
going on, which is alright. Ithink it’s been a tough weekfor some of the teams andfor NASCAR. That parthasn’t been any fun foranybody.”
Kyle Busch finishedsecond, followed by KevinHarvick, Kurt Busch andJohnson. Jeff Gordon, the13th member of the Chase,finished sixth.
Four Chase drivers fin-ished in the 9-12 spots: ClintBowyer, Ryan Newman, CarlEdwards and Kasey Kahne.Greg Biffle was 16th.
Joey Logano and DaleEarnhardt Jr. blew enginesand didn’t finish the race.
Kenseth’s teammateat Joe Gibbs Racing, KyleBusch, missed out on thetripleheader. Busch wonFriday’s truck race and Sat-urday’s Dollar General 300Nationwide race.
The only time Busch wona tripleheader was in 2010at Bristol (Tenn.). No otherNASCAR driver has won thetriple, and Busch seemed
desperate to pull it off.“I watched it slip right
away,” Busch said. “It[stinks], but there’s noth-
ing you could do about it. Ididn’t think we had a shot atit after [Saturday’s] practice.But during the race, I could
drive the heck out of it.”
Email: [email protected]:@takouris
NASCAR IN JOLIET
Kenseth sittingpretty with winBYTINAAKOURISSun-TimesMedia
Extends lead in Sprint Cup standings af!er long day at track
Matt Kenseth (No. 20 car above) leads Jeff Gordon (No. 24) andBradKeselowski during theGEICO400atChicagolandSpeedway. Kenseth (right)won his sixth race of the season. | GETTY IMAGES
60 | MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2013 | CHICAGO SUN-TIMES | CHICAGO SUN-TIMES.COM u
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