While it may not fit the popular narrative going around in the NASCAR circles, Toyota is indeed pretty bummed about what happened with Kyle Busch in Bristol. The soon-to-be-ex Joe Gibbs Racing driver became one of the stories of the night as he exited the playoffs because of an engine failure.
And not just an engine failure, his second engine failure in three weeks.
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Speaking about Busch’s exit from championship contention, Toyota’s David Wilson addressed the media and expressed his thoughts on the situation.
“We cost Kyle Busch a shot at his third championship,” he said.
However, NASCAR fans weren’t really buying Toyota’s explanations or their remorseful outlook towards the state of the season of the two-time champion.
In fact, many of them reacted pretty sourly and insinuated that Toyota doesn’t really care about Kyle Busch considering what happened in the last 6 months or so.
This probably sounds more like a conspiracy but the reason for it could be they just don't care about Kyle anymore. I have no evidence to back that but ya never know.
— Matthew Akers (@vtdiw) September 20, 2022
I don't believe that one bithttps://t.co/2spCRzKaUn
— Jacob | 9️⃣🏁x4 – 5️⃣🏁x2 | NYG🗽(2-0) – VT🦃(2-1) (@JacobRayLawson) September 21, 2022
So now that he’s out of the playoffs his car will be reliable? Makes sense…
— rowdyfan (@cantbfaded18) September 21, 2022
Doesn’t matter actions speak louder than words and this whole season has said,with actions that followed, that Toyota doesn’t care who got them there, and weren’t willing to step up to and do what was required of them to avoid this contractually and from a performance stand point
— Camden Stewart (@Camden_Stewart) September 20, 2022
When you put worn valve train parts the engine is going to fail at the higher RPM now that Kyle‘s out of the championship running jgr just wanted Kyles pit crew for Hamlin because they’re the best at jgr
— James (@jamesescobar1) September 20, 2022
No… there is no way that Toyota & Joe Gibbs was going to let Kyle Busch take a championship to Chevrolet & Richard Childress.
— Jeff Marcosky (@The_NASCARJeff) September 20, 2022
— derf winsor (@derf_winsor) September 21, 2022
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David Wilson elaborates on the problems faced by Kyle Busch and his #18 Toyota Camry
The Toyota boss opened up on the multiple engine failures they’ve experienced this season with Kyle Busch, something which is a surprise considering they had 0 failures last season.
Wilson described that they have found “an instability” in their valve train, which, according to them, was triggered by NASCAR’s mandated rev limiter.
“Arguably, I would venture to say, were we running the same package as last season, we would see none of this. We’ve just not experienced this. We’ve uncovered a weakness in our valve train,” he added.
Wilson reassured that “there’s no question” that NASCAR and the teams are looking into the issue and will definitely fix it in the future.
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As for the outcome of the season for them, the Toyota boss insisted that no matter what happens, the Kyle Busch exit will still haunt them, regardless.
“Whether we’re so fortunate enough to possibly win a championship with either Christopher or Denny later this year, I’m still going to be haunted by what happened, not just in Bristol, but Darlington as well,” he said. “Two engine failures across three weeks is unheard of.”
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“It’s unacceptable.”