Kyle Busch took advantage of a multi-car crash late in Stage 2 to jump out to a lead, and he never looked back in the final stage of the race.
Busch picked up his third win of the year, and he automatically advances to the Round of 12 after his win at New Hampshire. He joins Martin Truex Jr. as the only two drivers that have already qualified for the next round.
Welcome to the Round of 12. @KyleBusch is your winner today at @NHMS! #Rowdy18 #NASCARPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/YARjqtON9q
— NASCAR on NBC (@NASCARonNBC) September 24, 2017
Related: Huge crash at New Hampshire collected 5 playoff drivers
Busch was asked how he avoided the crash at the end of Stage 2, and he said he had "no idea."
"That was pretty intense," Busch said. "That was some Days of Thunder stuff over there. You couldn't see anything. I mean it was just a wall of smoke over there off of Turn 2. I listened to the spotter and basically was told to stop...
"We executed, did a good job, we did what we were supposed to do. It's awesome to win here in the Granite State in front of these fans."
Have a day, @KyleBusch!
He avoids a big wreck, and goes on to win at @NHMS! #NASCARPlayoffs #Rowdy18 pic.twitter.com/TVZRZ3QHax
— NASCAR on NBC (@NASCARonNBC) September 24, 2017
Busch was almost certainly going to make the next round anyway, but his win at New Hampshire erases all doubt. He and Truex have been the best two drivers all year, so it's only fitting that they won the first two races of the postseason.