Three NASCAR champions are fighting for a historic Cup milestone in Dover
The trio represents three different manufacturers in the Cup series.
Follow Us
Kevin Harvick, Martin Truex Jr. and Kyle Busch
Dover International Speedway will host the 11th regular season Cup race of 2023, the Würth 400, on Sunday, April 30. The 1 mile sees the premier stock car racing drivers going hard on each other to slay the monster mile in 400 laps. Going into the race weekend, three former cup champions are also searching for a milestone win at the track.
Two times Cup series champion JGR driver Kyle Busch, the 2014 Cup champion Kevin Harvick of SHR, and JGR’s 2017 Cup champion Martin Truex Jr. are the trio in contention to meet the millstone. All three have won three Cup races at the track, making them the winningest drivers there, and if any one of them scored aw in there on Sunday, they would become the windiest at the track. The hunt for the record is more interesting, considering the fact that they race for three different manufacturers.
Kyle Busch is the only driver to score a win this season among the three. He won twice this year, in Fontana and last Sunday at Talladega, with his new team Richard Childress Racing’s No:8 Camaro ZL1. This makes him the most informed driver and has the odds in his favor. He also has the opportunity to extend his race wins to 63, extending the lead to Harvick in the winningest active cup driver list.
Kevin Harvick is fighting for his 61st Cup race win in his final season in the Cup series as he is set to retire at the end of 2023. The No:4 Ford Mustang has been among the most consistent in the gage, but the lack of proper execution is hurting him when it comes to scoring wins. He is coming to Dover after a poor finish in Talladega and is hoping for redemption.
No:19 Toyota Camry driver Martin Truex Jr. is going to race on his home track, desperate for a victory; he hasn’t won a race since September 2021 and had his worst season with JGR in 2022 after going winless. Though he broke the winless curse in the LA Clash, a point-paying race win is still not on the card. He has a couple more races where he is a consistent top contender remaining in the series.
In case you missed it: “Money really does trump talent” – Fans react as Toni Breidinger set to make Truck Series debut in Victoria’s Secret Sponsored Toyota
Track position will be vital for them in Dover
The unique concrete oval has witnessed some interesting races in the past and has often favored the drivers with the best track position on race day. So, it is important for the trio to perform in the qualifying and secure front-row starts. Martin Turex Jr. is the active driver with the most poles at Dover, along with his teammate Denny Hamlin and it gives him an edge. The Next-Gen car has increased the struggling driver face to pass each other during the race, and it will be a factor as well.
“Just build on what we learned last year, and I think it’s important we qualify well, so hopefully we do that. Generally, when you qualify well there, you get a good pit stall, and it sets you up for a smoother day. Staying out front all day long is very important, and track position is very important since it’s hard to pass,” Martin Truex Jr. said.
“But Dover is still just hammer-down, and car placement is the most important thing there, and knowing when to move your car around in order to get through traffic because it’s always been a difficult racetrack. If you’re stuck to one line, you can get yourself in big trouble at Dover,” Kevin Harvick said.
Discover:
Stay Updated!
Justin P Joy
(4916 Articles Published)