6/16/07
Kvapil Saves Best For Last at Michigan International Speedway

Travis Kvapil waited until the final lap to make his move at Michigan International Speedway and his plan worked to perfection as he scored his sixth career victory and first of the season. Kvapil kicked off race day by winning the pole as well but it was Mark Martin who took him immediately to school and swiped the lead on the first lap. Martin led 35 of the first 48 laps before he headed to the garage with engine trouble and put Kvapil back in the control.

With Martin on the sidelines, Kvapil and Mike Skinner battled briefly at the front before Kyle Busch made his presence known and grabbed the spotlight and the lead on Lap 69. From there on Busch fought a loose condition and while he chased his truck all over the track Kvapil lurked close behind in second.

When Busch wiggled in Turn 3 that was all Kvapil needed to pass him for the lead as the field was shown the white flag. “I knew I had him,” said Kvapil, who climbed from sixth to fourth in the point standings. “I knew I was a little better but I didn’t want to get out there too soon because the draft plays such a big role.”

Busch did all he could with what he had and hung on for second. “I was just too loose all day,” Busch explained. “I just never could find a place that could give me a good run up off the corner.”

After making sure he bagged bonus points for leading at least one lap, Skinner took a conservative approach on the final circuit and settled for a solid fourth place finish.
“The guys there at the front had everything to gain and nothing to lose,” Skinner noted. “I had to run a smart race and that’s what I did.”

By focusing on the big picture, Skinner was able to stretch is advantage to 113 points over Ron Hornaday who overcame a one-lap deficit and rebounded to finish tenth. The Craftsman Truck Series will continue its summer stretch with a visit to The Milwaukee Mile next weekend for Race #11.