Justin Brayton grabs some air in Oakland. Photo by Transworld Motocross

Team Interstate saw a promising night turn disappointing in Oakland on Saturday as JGRMX riders Justin Brayton and Josh Grant finished mid-pack.

Both of the Toyota/Yamaha/JGRMX riders qualified without incident for the main event and shot out to the front of the field as the gates dropped. But in turn 2, an accident collected several riders, including Grant. Brayton escaped the carnage and was in second place for the first two laps before settling into third on lap three. He maintained that position until just after the halfway mar when he and another rider made contact. Brayton recovered to finish 10th, while Grant salvaged a 16th-place finish.

Next week: the 2013 Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship Series returns to Anaheim for a third and final time this season.

Kyle Busch Signs Long-term Deal with JGR

Matt Kenseth, Kyle Busch and Denny Hamlin represent Team Interstate in the Sprint Cup Series. Copyright 2013 Autostock Images.

Kyle Busch will continue to pilot the storied No. 18 Toyota in NASCAR’s Sprint Cup Series. Joe Gibbs Racing announced last week that the driver had signed a long-term contract extension during the off-season.

Busch, whose previous contract would have expired after the 2013 season, said he had a couple of other offers, but he thought JGR offered him the best opportunity to win.

“Ultimately what it comes down to (are) relationships and things that you have developed over the last … five or six years here,” he said. “The relationship that I have with Coach (Joe) Gibbs and J.D. as well as the Toyota folks, the M&M’s folks, Toyota, Norm Miller (of sponsor Interstate Batteries), they treat me so well.”

As part of his new contract, Busch will compete in 25 Nationwide Series races this season  for JGR in the No. 54 Toyota. JGR will also supply engines and technical assistance to Kyle Busch Motorsports in both the Nationwide and Camping World Truck series.

Busch and his Team Interstate companions Denny Hamlin, Matt Kenseth and Brian Vickers appeared at JGR’s media day last week. Here’s a quick look at some news tidbits (and funny moments) from the event.

By James Pecht (82 Posts)

James Pecht writes about franchising, battery technology, tips, racing and company culture for Interstate Batteries.