LOUDON, N.H. -- Kyle Busch has learned to win by not worrying about winning.

The 21-year-old's approach helped him capture Sunday's NASCAR Nextel Cup race at New Hampshire International Speedway and score his third consecutive top-five finish. He's climbed from 12th to fourth in the points during that stretch.

"I've been more conscious of trying to points race, trying to put my car in the right spot, not trying to overdrive it in any way,'' said Busch, who earned $242,175 for his first Cup victory of the season. "Last week I overdrove it in qualifying and we ended up 23rd instead of maybe in the top 10. There's definitely areas I can improve on. I'm sure there's areas where the team can improve on. I'm sure there's areas where our cars can improve.''

Busch led a race-high 107 laps Sunday, including the final 69, in a car called "The Punisher." Busch was so strong late in the race that he radioed crew chief Alan Gustafson and asked if they could take this car to Pocono this weekend. They'll take another car. Sunday's winning car likely will show up elsewhere later this season.

Busch's celebration was delayed by a late caution when Clint Bowyer and Brian Vickers wrecked. The caution was extended when Michael Waltrip ran into the back of Robby Gordon's car -- they ran into each other at this track last September and Gordon threw his helmet at Waltrip's car. Busch wasn't worried when the race resumed.

"The biggest thing for today was just hold the belts tight and get after it there for the final restart,'' Busch said.

Carl Edwards finished second with Greg Biffle, Mark Martin and Kevin Harvick completing the top five. Points leader Jimmie Johnson placed ninth.

Bad luck

Elliott Sadler's season of struggles continues. He and crew chief Tommy Baldwin gambled on fuel mileage and it looked as if it would pay off as Sadler was fourth before the final caution.

But that last caution extended the race eight laps and Sadler ran out of fuel. He finished 25th.

"This pretty much puts in a nutshell how our season has been,'' he said. "We just can't catch the right breaks or catch the right cautions.''

Strong finish

Roush Racing placed second, third and fourth with Carl Edwards, Greg Biffle and Mark Martin. It was the best career finish for Edwards and Biffle at this track. It was Martin's best run at New Hampshire since 2000.