SPARTA, Ky. — Brendan Gaughan surged past rookies Chase Elliott and Ty Dillon in a wild three-wide run after a final restart for a hard-earned victory in Saturday night’s 300-mile Nationwide Series race at Kentucky Speedway.
Elliott and Dillon initially battled for the lead on Lap 192 before Gaughan’s No. 62 Chevrolet rocketed forward on the outside to make it three abreast, getting past both drivers a couple of laps later with Brian Scott in tow. Gaughan went on to his second career victory by .878 seconds over Scott, followed by Dillon, Elliott and Regan Smith in a top-five sweep by Chevys.
Gaughan’s surprising finish denied Dillon’s quest for a dominant victory after he started on the pole and led 155 laps. Dillon seemed destined to fight Elliott in the closing laps, but Gaughan, who led 22 laps, stayed within reach and used a great restart to snatch the lead and the win.
Roush Fenway Racing had a productive day, too, as all three RFR drivers finished in the top 15. Chris Buescher broke into the top 10 with his seventh-place finish, while Ryan Reed and Trevor Bayne finished 11th and 15th, respectively.
