Kyle Busch Limps Behind Rival Joey Logano Despite Following Team Penske’s Game Plan

The NASCAR crowd bid farewell to Kansas City, wrapping up their time at the 1.5-mile Speedway. Their next stop? Bristol, where the stakes are higher than ever. As the backdrop of Kansas Speedway fades, we’re hurtling straight into the Playoffs’ 12-round decider. Predictions are running rampant, with everyone offering their take on what the Round of 12 grid will look like.

In the aftermath of Sunday’s race, NASCAR pundits are dissecting every aspect, from the strategies employed by teams to the game plans in action. The final caution during the race played a pivotal role in determining the finishing grid. Despite several teams opting for similar pit strategies, a stark reality arose as a two-time Cup Series champion found themselves trailing behind another two-time champ. This a point that seasoned paddock figures – Jeff Gluck and Jordan Bianchi, highlighted in their recent video dissecting the Hollywood Casino 400.

Kyle Busch’s tire strategy falls short against fellow champ Joey Logano

Denny Hamlin with a dominant car, was seemingly on course for a surefire victory. However, as the race progressed, a late caution flag changed the complexion of the competition. The crucial decision loomed for the teams: four tires or two tires during the pit stop. Ultimately, the choice of four tires paid off brilliantly for Tyler Reddick and Hamlin, securing them a victory and a second-place finish.

Yet, the decision to go with two tires also had its moments of glory. Joey Logano, who was headed for a 15th-place finish, opted for two tires. This tactical move propelled him to a fifth-place finish, earning him ten valuable points. Bianchi and Gluck emphasized the significance of these extra points, “Ten points. Yeah, that’s huge. That’s, I mean, that’s the difference between advancing out of round one and being one of the four guys sent home. That’s a huge call for that team.”

Logano‘s performance was particularly remarkable, as he had been hovering around the cut line for most of the race, making his advancement even more critical. He managed to clear the bubble by a substantial 12-point margin. Kyle Busch, like the Team Penske crew, also embraced the two-tire strategy, but his outcome fell just short of his ambitions. Despite the clever tire choice that allowed him to secure a few additional positions on the track, Busch ultimately finished in seventh place.

One notable aspect was Busch’s pursuit of Logano, who also opted for the two-tire strategy but managed to stay ahead, securing a fifth-place finish. While the two-tire strategy undoubtedly bolstered Busch’s performance and lifted his final position, it couldn’t quite elevate him beyond Logano’s reach. “And then you also look at Kyle Busch. Um, I think he finished seventh and he wasn’t gonna finish that high either. They took the two tires, and it worked out for them. They got a few more spots,” Gluck added.

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Further, the duo focused on Busch‘s current situation in the playoffs. Busch, who finished seventh in Kansas, holds a 24-point lead in the standings over the cutline. As Gluck inquired about any concerns, Bianchi expressed optimism regarding his lead and the outlook for Busch and his team, stating that if Busch can maintain a trouble-free run and finish in the top 15 at Bristol, they should be in a decent position. However, Gluck suggested that Busch might not share the same level of confidence. He likened Busch’s current situation to feeling like “pianos are falling out of the sky.” 

“When is the last time this team [RCR] had a clean race from when they unload the car at the track to when that car gets on the hauler to leave the track? When do they have a race weekend where nothing happens to them, whether it’s bad luck or their own doing or self-execution?” Bianchi stated. Gluck revealed that in a conversation with Busch after the race, the driver’s uncertainty about Bristol became apparent. Despite Busch’s prowess at the track, he felt that they were constantly on the receiving end of unfavorable breaks and setbacks.

Even though he acknowledged their speed and potential, Busch couldn’t shake the feeling that luck had not been on their side. Busch’s doubts were valid as soon after Busch faced adversity as he popped a tire in practice. Bianchi added, “That’s not his fault but that’s part of it, and this team is, I don’t know if you call it snakebit or whatever, but it’s just, they’ve got speed, that’s the thing.”

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Both Gluck and Bianchi recognized the value of Busch’s racing potential heading into Bristol but acknowledged that luck could still play a pivotal role in determining Busch’s fate.