Stage 1 Recap (Laps 1-80):
● Kurt Busch started eighth and finished seventh to score four stage points.
● Early in the run, Busch said his Haas Automation/Monster Energy Ford Fusion was loose on the exit of each turn.
● On lap six, under caution, Busch pitted for four sticker tires and fuel while in ninth position.
● Busch restarted 14th after pitting.
● Busch was up to third with fresher tires and pitted under green on lap 41 for four tires, fuel and a chassis adjustment.
● On lap 50, Busch was fourth and reported his car was “a tick loose in.”
Stage 2 Recap (Laps 81-160):
● Busch started eighth and finished sixth to score five stage points.
● Busch pitted on lap 83 for four tires, fuel and a tire pressure adjustment.
● On lap 122, Busch was in seventh and pitted for four tires, fuel and a tire pressure adjustment.
● Busch reported shortly after the pit stop that his car was really tight in the center of the corner.
● On lap 145, while eighth, Busch pitted under caution for four tires, fuel and a tire pressure adjustment.
Stage 3 Recap (Laps 161-267):
● Busch started eighth and finished 22nd.
● On lap 162, Busch pitted for four tires, fuel and a bit of tape on the grill.
● Busch pitted on lap 198 for four tires, fuel and a chassis adjustment. He was in eighth.
● On lap 227, Busch hit some debris and cut a tire, which forced him to pit. He lost two laps and finished a disappointing 22nd.
Notes:
● Busch finished the 2017 season with one win (Daytona 500), one pole (Texas II) and 15 top-10 finishes.
● There were five caution periods for a total of 26 laps.
● Only 12 of the 39 drivers in the Ford Ecoboost 400 finished on the lead lap.
● Martin Truex Jr., won the Ford EcoBoost 400 to score his 15th career Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series victory. It was his series-best eighth win of the season, but his first at Homestead. His margin of victory over second-place Kyle Busch was .681 of a second.
● In winning the Ford EcoBoost 400, Truex won the 2017 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series championship for the first time in his career, outdueling fellow Championship 4 contenders Kyle Busch, Harvick and Brad Keselowski. Truex is the 32nd different Cup Series champion.
Next Up:
The 2018 season kicks off Feb. 10-18 with the traditional Speedweeks at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway. The 60th Daytona 500, the first points-paying race of the season, is scheduled for Feb. 18 and will be broadcast live on FOX.
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