By PATRICK MATSINKO

pmatsinko@tnonline.comLONG POND - Kurt Busch had an unenviable task to secure his first win of the season - save fuel and hold off Dale Earnhardt Jr.He did both.Busch won the Axalta 'We Paint Winners' 400 at Pocono Raceway Monday, stretching his fuel mileage while Earnhardt, who was also trying to save gas, took second."It's an amazing feeling when you get to drive into victory lane at any track, any weekend at any time, and it's very special, because it makes you think of all the hard work that everybody at Stewart-Haas Racing put into this car," Busch said. "To be in position, that's what it's all about."(Interim crew chief) Johnny Klausmeier called a perfect race to gamble on the fuel a little bit, but he also gave me the ball. He's like, 'Hey, we're two laps shy, go get it for us.'"Busch led the final 32 laps of the Monday's race, which was pushed back a day because of rain.Team Penske Racing's Brad Keselowski finished third behind Earnhardt. In addition to Earnhardt's runner-up finish, rookie Chase Elliott, who led a race-high 51 laps, gave Hendrick Motorsports two cars in the top-five with a fourth-place finish.Joey Logano, Keselowski's teammate, rounded out the top-five.Check out Tuesday's edition of the Times News for full coverage of the race.