BUSCH: Truex takes Mexico win.

Defending NASCAR Busch Series Champion Martin Truex Jr emerged victorious in the first Busch Series event in Mexico on Sunday, beating many of the best road racers Mexico had to offer in the process.

In front of a huge, patriotic and passionate crowd, pole sitter and native son Jorge Goeters led the opening quarter of what was an 80-lap race around a specially modified 2.5-mile version of the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez.

But it would be Truex who led the most important lap, taking the chequered flag more than six seconds ahead of Nextel Cup regular Kevin Harvick.

Harvick, who battled with a painful rib and sternum throughout the weekend, made a late pass on fellow Nextel Cup regular, and Busch Series rookie of the year contender Carl Edwards.

Shane Hmiel scored his second straight top five finish, coming home fourth, with Boris Said fifth and veteran Rusty Wallace sixth.

Adrian Fernandez was the best placed of the nine strong Mexican contingent in tenth place, although the driver of the #5 Hendrick Motorsport Chevrolet was on course for a much better result before a pit road infraction dropped him to the rear of the field.

Driving coach Chris Cook finished 26th in his first Busch start for Joe Nemechek's team although Michel Jourdain Jr's much anticipated appearance resulted in a mid race accident and a lowly 37th place finish.