Menard Wins Nationwide Race When Logano Goes Flat

BROOKLYN, Mich. -- Joey Logano was only a few laps away from victory when suddenly, holding off Paul Menard wasn't his main problem.

Logano's flat tire with about five laps remaining allowed Menard to win the NASCAR Nationwide Series race Saturday at Michigan International Speedway. It was Menard's second victory on that circuit and first since 2006, and Logano was left trying to come to terms with a race that was going well until the final moments.

Logano was leading when he was derailed by the tire problem. Menard took advantage of his good fortune, holding off Sam Hornish Jr. by 0.468 seconds. It was Menard's first Nationwide start of the season.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. finished third, followed by pole-winner Kyle Busch and Brian Scott. Regan Smith finished seventh and remained atop the points list.

Menard, one of several Sprint Cup drivers in contention in the event, won the 250-mile, 125-lap race in his No. 33 Chevrolet. He figures he might have had a shot to win even without Logano's mishap.

"I would have liked to have lined up nose to tail with Joey," he said. "It would have been a hell of a race."

Logano wasn't disputing that, but the point became moot when he ran over something in his No. 22 Ford and dropped all the way back to 16th place because of the cut tire.

Busch won his third Nationwide pole of the year but was unable to repeat his victory two weeks ago at Dover. Scott was the highest finisher among this year's Nationwide regulars, holding his own among several Cup drivers.

Hornish nearly won the Nationwide Series in 2013, but his sponsorship money dried up and he parted ways with owner Roger Penske. He's made only three Nationwide starts this year, but the irregular schedule doesn't seem to be affecting his performance. He's finished in the top five in all three races, including a victory at Iowa in May.

He was in the No. 20 Toyota for Joe Gibbs Racing on Saturday.

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