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USA Today via Reuters
Aug 31, 2023; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Kyle Busch answers questions from the media at Charlotte Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports
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USA Today via Reuters
Aug 31, 2023; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Kyle Busch answers questions from the media at Charlotte Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports
Despite a great start to the season, 2-time Cup Series champion, Kyle Busch and his #8 Richard Childress Racing Chevy are slowly falling behind. Unlike a terrible last season with his former team Joe Gibbs Racing, Rowdy has had far more success this season. But as we reach Kansas for the playoff‘s second rounder, it looks like Busch’s #8 Chevy has lost its steam.
Speaking on the popular Dirty Mo Media production, former Hendrick Motorsports crew chief and NASCAR pundit painfully relayed Busch’s terrible streak.
Kyle Busch and his bleak streak continue as Steve Letarte disowns the 2-time champ’s chances at Kansas
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What looked like a terrific start for NASCAR’s “bad boy” has now turned into a terrible streak for him. Despite racking up 3 stellar wins to spear his way into the playoffs, Busch is now staring down the barrel as we reach the 2nd rounder in Kansas.
The RCR driver has claimed only 2 top-10 finishes in the last 8 races and out of the 27 races this season, he has 5 DNFs too. Reflecting on the 2015&2019 champ’s miserable streak, former HMS crew chief, Steve Letarte said the obvious. “I don’t want to talk about Kyle Busch,” said the veteran crew chief.
While Letarte mentioned how his last week’s prediction was spot on, his associate, Professor laid out the driver’s stats. He said, “Only 2 top 10s in the last 8 races, finished 26th or worse in 3 of the last 4 Kansas races, he’s only led one lap in the last 7 mile and a half races.”
“I hate to agree,” said Letarte who later on dived deeper into Busch’s 2023 season. He asked his associate, “How did he run at Michigan? All good until Blaney was in his door and he wrecked. Where was he when he wrecked? Inside the top 10?” To which the professor relayed the obvious, saying, “He was 11th when he crashed,” prompting Letarte to say, “So still outside the top 10, I’ve heard enough.”
WATCH THIS STORY: Kyle Busch exposes Richard Childress’ flaws as he beats his arch-nemesis Joey Logano
Busch runs into bad luck again, starting at the bottom in Kansas
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The #8 Chevy seems like it has seen it all, from door slams to tire cuts to mechanical failures, Kyle Busch had a variety of DNFs this season. As we reach the gates of Kansas for a mile-and-a-half action, Busch is now forced to start at the rear following a tire cut that forced the #8 Chevy into the wall during Saturday’s practice.
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This is now the second race of the season, and the second the second week in a row that Busch has had trouble in practice in a row. Much like the 39-year-old driver, Joe Gibbs Racing’s rookie sensation, Ty Gibbs also had a similar fate when he was forced into the outside wall following a tire cut during Saturday’s session.
The trouble came midway through the 20-minute session when the #8 Chevy snapped loose through Turn 4 and scraped the outside retaining wall. While the team opted to stay in for the rest of the day, the driver was forced to start at the rear at 35th.
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While Busch’s KBM prodigy also had trouble when a faulty suspension component got the #24 HMS Chevy back, the team was able to make the amends promptly.