Nashville Throwback: Michael Waltrip wins as Clint Bowyer wrecks Kyle Busch in classic finish

While the Cup Series hasn’t had a long history at Nashville Superspeedway, Michael Waltrip had a surprise Xfinity Series win there in 2004. The surprise was the fact that Waltrip wasn’t even in the top-5, but managed to make a move as he leaders wrecked to take the checkered flag on NASCAR‘s latest concrete oval.

The Pepsi 300 at Nashville Superspeedway was a thrilling one. It was a classic early 2000s battle between Clint Bowyer in the No. 21 Resse’s Chevy and Kyle Busch in his No. 5 Lowe’s/Pella Chevy for Hendrick Motorsports.

The two drivers were both rookies and this race happened to feature a ton of great names from the past and present. Ron Hornady Jr., Mike and Kenny Wallace, Martin Truex Jr., JJ Yeley, Kasey Kahne, Regan Smith, Greg Biffle, and Norm Benning were all entered in the event.

On the last lap, Bowyer got into Busch and sent him around. Bowyer got hit in the rear, and the top-four drivers were wrecked. So, Michael Waltrip went on to take the checkered flag. Johnny Sauter had this one stolen from him as Waltrip surged to the front for a classic finish.

One of the WILDEST finishes in @NASCAR history came at @NashvilleSuperS in 2004. 😳 pic.twitter.com/M8oFoq0TTd

— NASCAR on NBC (@NASCARonNBC) June 22, 2023

The way Kyle Busch is, I bet he still brings this one up to Clint Bowyer. And if Michael Waltrip is anywhere nearby, I’m sure that he lets them both know about how he took this one right from under their noses.

This was the 11th and final win of Michael Waltrip’s Xfinity Series career. That had to make it even more special for the Bluegrass native. Waltrip’s last Cup Series win came in the season prior at Talladega.

Michael Waltrip and crew bow out for the year

Of course, Michael Waltrip and the Fox Sports crew are finished with their half of the NASCAR season. We won’t be hearing from Bowyer, Mike Joy, Jamie McMurray or anyone from Fox (except on NASCAR RaceHub) for the rest of the season.

The NBC Sports crew and Dale Jr. are hopping into the booth now. That is a change that many fans are ready to see on TV. It will be fun to have a different perspective on the races moving forward. With some night races coming up and the playoffs later in the year. It will be a fun ride for sure.

This weekend things get started at Nashville Superspeedway in the Ally 400. The Cup Series is back for its third year at the track. It should be a fun race weekend for everyone watching.

Will Chase Elliott get his win? Or will he continue to struggle and try again next week? Things are ticking down as we get closer to the playoffs over the next five months.