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It’s the first victory for the Penske Racing driver since September at California Speedway, and it came on a day when two-time Cup champion Stewart dominated, leading 132 of 284 laps, only to see the hard luck that has dogged him all season continue.

Sunday turned out to be Busch’s day, thanks to crew chief Pat Tryson’s decision to keep his No. 2 Dodge on track when Stewart and several other lead cars pitted during a late caution period.

When rain eventually ended the race 17 laps short, with the field under a red flag on pit road, Busch had his 18th career victory. and Stewart was 13th.

Stewart, who didn’t have enough gas to make it to the finish, could hardly believe his fate.

“It’s just been the oddest year I’ve ever seen for this race team,” he said. “It’s just frustrating. There isn’t anybody that’s going to tell you any different. There’s nothing you can do. If there was something we could do about it, we’d change it.”

Elsewhere

Doug Herbert raced to an emotional Top Fuel victory at Norwalk, Ohio, at the Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals, a victory he dedicated to the memory of his two young sons who were killed in a highway auto accident in January.

… Jean Theoret won the Thunder on the Ohio unlimited hydroplane at Evansville, Ind. Theoret, driving the Miss Beacon Plumbing, cruised to his first Thunder victory, covering the Ohio River course with an average speed of 137.854 mph.