Indianapolis NASCAR: Kyle Busch dominates Brickyard 400 again

In what was a relatively clean race until the closing stages, Busch set an event record by leading 141 of what became a 170-lap race once multiple attempts at overtime finishes were completed.

Joe Gibbs Racing's strong form was emphasised as Busch's team-mates Matt Kenseth and Denny Hamlin finished second and fourth, sandwiching Jimmie Johnson.

Four cautions in the closing laps of the race gave polesitter and 2015 winner Busch a lot to think about, and at one point a seven-car wreck after a clumsy restart from Carl Edwards triggered a red flag.

Drivers then needed three attempts to make it to the overtime line as incidents continued, raising concerns about fuel economy.

But spotters stressed the importance of conservation under yellow and the frontrunners all had just enough in the tank, with Busch showing his mastery of restarts every time to put the result beyond doubt.

Hendrick Motorsports returned to the top 10 after a three-race drought with Johnson's third place, earned by capitalising on the messy restarts, also giving the team its 1000th top-five finish in NASCAR.

The team's returning hero Jeff Gordon finished 13th in the unwell Dale Earnhardt Jr's car and then after the chequered flag joined fellow retiring legend Tony Stewart for one last lap of Indianapolis in a stock car.

RESULTS

PROVISIONAL CHASE FIELD

On wins: Brad Keselowski, Kyle Busch, Carl Edwards, Matt Kenseth, Jimmie Johnson, Kevin Harvick, Kurt Busch, Joey Logano, Martin Truex Jr, Denny Hamlin, Tony Stewart

On points: Chase Elliott, Ryan Newman, Austin Dillon, Jamie McMurray, Kyle Larson