Kyle Busch wins stage one of the NRA Night Race

(Photo Credit: Chris Tello / The SkyBoat)

Written by Adrian Beecher

Bristol, TN – Erik Jones led the field to the green flag to get the 40th night race at Bristol underway. On lap 4, Chase Elliot would briefly take the lead before Jones regained it after just 1 lap. Shortly after, Brad Keselowski had to head to he pits due to a flat left front tire.

Kyle Larson would take his first lead of the race on lap 50 as Jones got loose in turn 3, allowing Larson to easily make the pass. Lap 62 saw our first caution of the night come out as Aric Almirola hit the wall in turn two.

After pit stops, it was Larson still out in front. After a few laps of green flag racing, Kyle Busch had improved from his starting place of 18th to 3rd. By lap 97, Busch was up to 2nd place, chasing down Kyle Larson.

The final 25 laps would be a back and forth battle between Larson and Busch as they fought back and forth as if it was for the race win. In the end, Larson would get caught in traffic on the last lap of the stage and Kyle Busch would take the green white checkered flag to win the stage.