In his first NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series showing with Spire Motorsports, Kyle Busch did what he does best on Saturday afternoon.
The two-time Cup Series champion started the Fr8 208 at Atlanta (Ga.) Motor Speedway in seventh position. Behind the wheel of the No. 7 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet, he led 33 laps, won the second stage and eventually took the checkered flag by 0.187 seconds over ThorSport Racing’s Ty Majeski on lap 135.
It was Busch’s 65th career Truck Series victory and 230th NASCAR win overall.
“You are relying on help and the guys behind you to work with you and today (Ty) Majeski was that guy for me,” Busch said. “Big thanks to Chevrolet and I appreciate Spire and everyone who has been a part of this organization. All of the fans in Rowdy Nation, we appreciate them too.”
For context, following the 2023 season, Busch sold Kyle Busch Motorsports to Spire Motorsports and ended his Truck Series ownership role. The Fr8 208 was Busch’s first time in a Spire Motorsports-fielded entry.
Also, it was his first time in 10 years running a drafting track in one of NASCAR’s lower series.
With Majeski’s No. 98 Ford crossing the line second, TRICON Garage’s Corey Heim took third in his No. 11 Toyota. Taylor Gray and last week’s winner Nick Sanchez completed the top five.
“Yeah, it was a quiet day for us. I feel like we played the strategy game really well today,” Heim noted. “I feel like these first two races were going to be really tough, Daytona and Atlanta, and (we) got through them with two top-fives. Can’t complain, and that’s what championships are made of, and that’s what we’re going for.”
Of other items to note, two early contenders — Grant Enfinger and Christian Eckes — experienced a bit of bad luck late in the race. Enfinger, who led 23 laps in the No. 9 CR7 Motorsports Chevrolet, fell to the back after a right-front tire issue popped up on lap 129.
Meanwhile, stage one winner Eckes finished last after experiencing a brake issue with his No. 19 McAnally-Hilgemann Racing Chevrolet on lap 50.