Despite racking up three impressive wins and making a major turnaround in 2023, the tea has gone cold for Kyle Busch and Richard Childress as we reach the Texas Motor Speedway. Unlike a tough 2022 campaign with his former team, Joe Gibbs Racing, NASCAR’s 2023 season started out well for the 2-time Cup Series champion.
However, bad luck and his new team’s inconsistency have held down “Rowdy” a bit. With the playoff bandwagon reaching its 2nd round opener in Texas, it looks like dark clouds are still on the #8 Chevy’s horizon.
Though he is ranked 6th in the standings, Richard Childress’ inadequate equipment, coupled with a series of unfortunate circumstances, has now cast a shadow on Busch‘s championship hopes. Moreover, the driver got his day literally turned backward after his boss asked him to tough it out following an early kiss with the wall.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
The misery goes on for Kyle Busch as his boss betrays the driver in Texas
Much like his speedway run in Michigan, 2-time Cup Series champion Kyle Busch’s agony continues as he wrecks out early in Texas. Despite his exceptional track record at the mile-and-a-half track with 4 wins to his name, Busch headed into the race week optimistic, looking to start the 2nd rounder on a high note as he hoped to emulate the #8 car’s last season’s win.
Kyle Busch hits the wall HARD! #NASCARPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/la33uhKQoX
— NASCAR on NBC (@NASCARonNBC) September 24, 2023
Riding 8th, Busch’s day took an unexpected turn when his car gave out in the middle of turn 2. As the driver and his machine went for a spin, the rear end of the RCR Chevy slammed into the wall as it came to a stop in the middle of the track.
Kyle Busch says his right front has a "chatter" and it's like it "has no air."
— Jordan Bianchi (@Jordan_Bianchi) September 24, 2023
But what enraged KB fans was the team’s response. A couple of laps into the race, Busch delivered bad news to his team on the radio, relaying that the car was suffering some sort of issue, specifically hearing some kind of chatter on the front right end. However, the team belittled the claim and asked the driver to hang in there for another 14 laps till the stage ended.
WATCH THIS STORY: Kyle Busch shares his feelings about encountering his former boss Joe Gibbs amid difficulties with Richard Childress
Despite Busch’s best efforts to salvage the car, the #8 Chevy was declared out of contention, ending his day in another early tragedy.
Busch’s efforts go in vain as the #8 succumbs to another DNF
Trending
“It Ruined My Enjoyment” – Dale Earnhardt Jr Reveals His Disdain From Manufacturers Influencing and Compromising His Race
Kyle Busch’s 2 Year Old Daughter’s Open Declaration of Chase Elliott as “Her Boyfriend” Has NASCAR Fans Melting
Dale Jr Claims Chevy’s $400,000 Loss for Martinsville Manipulation Not Enough to Stop It’s Embarrassing Tactics
Denny Hamlin Warns of Consequences Owing to Flawed Playoff Structure Amidst Joey Logano’s Championship Hunt
Will Michael Jordan Pull Out of NASCAR if $60 Million Lawsuit Fails?
The Autotrader EchoPark Automotive 400 was certainly a tragedy for Kyle Busch and his ardent fans. After surviving the first playoff round, Busch had high hopes of making it big in the second round, given his resume at the venues. While he was optimistic about claiming his fifth win in Texas or making up for it in Talladega, in Stage 1 of the race, bad luck once again found the driver.
The RCR Chevy slammed into the wall with its rear side, taking the brunt of force, in a bad position, not at all favorable by any means. Even though the driver’s call was ignored by his team, asking him to toughen it out for another 14 laps, Busch met his match in turn 2 when the traction gave out.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
After his crash, Kyle Busch drove around the track backwards. #NASCARPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/t1h6RJhTG8
— NASCAR on NBC (@NASCARonNBC) September 24, 2023
Kyle Busch tried his level best to salvage his race car from the wreck, hoping for a miracle in the garage to resurrect the dying Chevy. In an effort to save his chances, he went backward during the caution to avoid unnecessary damage, hoping for a miracle.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
READ MORE: Kyle Busch’s NASCAR Pupil Threatens Kyle Larson’s Racing Crown as He Re-Writes the Record Books
In fact, the driver backed up the car all the way to the pits under yellow to avoid further damage to his car, but in vain as the damage was already done. Now what remains is Talladega and Roval. Will Kyle Busch be able to repeat his success at the Superspeedway and advance?