This is not Kyle Busch’s year and it’s been evident ever since he missed out on his playoff chances. The driver, who has already secured two Cup Series titles, missed out on the playoffs and it just does not look like his year at all. At the recent Homestead playoff race, Kyle Busch found himself in a rare and frustrating situation. Busch has been a regular playoff contender since 2014, but this year, he didn’t make the cut.

Adding salt to the wound, Busch was hit with a penalty during the race that left him and his team at the horrifying end of the worst season they have had together. Officials claimed he had clipped an orange safety box on the pit road, a move they said violated NASCAR’s safety standards. When Busch asked for clarification, the response about this supposed clipping left him more baffled than before. “I have no idea how you’re supposed to stop in your box then. That’s a new one for me,” he commented, perplexed by this new twist in the rules.

Randall Burnett, Kyle Busch’s crew chief, weighed in on the incident. He suggested this questionable call was “par for the course this year.” Burnett’s comment highlighted the frustration many in Busch’s camp felt over a season. They saw it as a season plagued by odd and inconsistent officiating decisions. Fans and analysts alike remain divided. Some believe that safety rules are non-negotiable and others side with Busch, seeing his reaction as reasonable.

NASCAR’s rules around pit road violations are strict, but they’re also complex and sometimes interpreted differently from race to race. So as this came as a surprise to Busch, it was clear to see that he was more confused than agitated. Although there are just 3 races before the season is over, Kyle Busch is not ready to throw in the towel.

Kyle Busch’s desire to secure a win before the season ends

Kyle Busch is feeling the heat as he heads into the Straight Talk Wireless 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway, searching for his first victory of the 2024 NASCAR Cup Series season. With just three races left on the schedule, the two-time champion is under pressure to maintain his impressive streak of 19 consecutive seasons with at least one win.

This weekend, Kyle Busch is excited about his partnership with Straight Talk Wireless, which fits perfectly with his family’s racing legacy. “Straight Talk was looking for a driver with a family dynasty like mine,” he explained, highlighting how his brother Kurt and son are also in the racing game. Fans even have a chance to win 100 years of free service through the Family Dynasty Sweepstakes, announced after the race.

However, things haven’t gone smoothly in practice, where Busch ended up 34th on the chart and qualified 17th. “We lack the grip that we need in order to be able to turn fast laps,” he admitted, indicating that they have their work cut out for them. Despite these challenges, Busch remains optimistic. “Fortunately for me, I’ve won at all three of those tracks left on the schedule,” he said, acknowledging the struggles he faced with the short-track package. However, Busch still believes any of the remaining races could be an opportunity for a win.

Looking ahead to the race, Busch pointed out the strong performance of the Toyota drivers, particularly Tyler Reddick from 23XI Racing, who topped the practice and qualifying charts. “The Toyota guys are favored right now,” he stated. He holds out hope for a trophy at the end of the race. As the green flag approaches, Busch is ready to give it his all in a bid to finally cross the finish line first this season. Will he succeed? Share your thoughts in the comments below.