Busch Leads, Blows Tire at Michigan

BROOKLYN, Mich. (June 15, 2003) – Kyle Busch had quite a run at Michigan International Speedway on Saturday, holding an almost four-second lead over the ARCA Series field before blowing a tire early in the Flagstar 200. Driving the No. 87 ditech.com Chevrolet, Busch officially started second, but was sent to mid-pack, along with nearly one-third of the field, after failing to make it through the ARCA tech line in the required amount of time. The setback didn’t stop the 18-year-old, who unofficially began the race in 26th, as he picked up a full 18 positions before the first caution flag waved at Lap 3. Eight circuits later, the event went back to green-flag conditions with Busch charging hard to move into second-place by Lap 12. With the No. 87 Chevy working well all over the race track, it wasn’t long before leader Frank Kimmel fell to second as Busch passed for the lead on Lap 17. Running in clean air, the ditech.com Chevy moved to a nearly four-second advantage over the field before the team’s afternoon came to an abrupt end when the car’s right-rear tire exploded as the No. 87 entered Turn 1 on Lap 25. Amazingly, Busch was able to stay away from the Michigan retaining wall, but as the tire shredded it did major body damage to the right-rear of the race car, forcing the team into the garage. Busch was credited with a 36th-place finish, completing 25 of 100 laps and leading for nine. The No. 87 ditech.com Chevrolet will next race at Pocono (Pa.) Raceway on July 26 in the ARCA Series. Scheduled for a 1 p.m. ET start, the event will be televised same-day on SPEED Channel at 8 p.m. ET.