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USA Today via Reuters
Mar 11, 2023; Avondale, Arizona, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver Kyle Busch (8) during qualifying for the United Rentals Work United 500 at Phoenix Raceway. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
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USA Today via Reuters
Mar 11, 2023; Avondale, Arizona, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver Kyle Busch (8) during qualifying for the United Rentals Work United 500 at Phoenix Raceway. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
While Hendrick Motorsports have a lot to think about after the Federated Auto Parts 400 in Richmond, where Kyle Busch and Richard Childress Racing continued their consistent run in this year’s Cup Series. Busch finished in third place at Richmond despite not having a good first stage. However, something entirely opposite happened with Hendrick Motorsports, who were doing quite well in the first 70 laps but fell off the pace later on. Seeing this, Busch has some interesting comments for his former team.
In an interview with SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, after the race, Kyle Busch said that he would rather be better at the end than at the start as it guarantees a higher finish.
I’ll take being better at the end, says Kyle Busch
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Kyle Larson & HMS Are Planning to Return to Indy 500 Next Year. But Should They?
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RCR had both its full-time drivers finishing in the top 10 with Busch in third and Austin Dillon in ninth. With respect to that, the HMS drivers were truly nowhere near. Chase Elliott finished highest for the team but only managed to finish in 13th place. When asked about the HMS cars’ performance, Busch said that he was surprised as they were doing well in the first stage.
“I was really surprised. I saw the Hendrick cars there in the first stage. They were pretty good but then they seemed to fall off and not be as good the rest of the day. And we were the opposite of that. We were really bad in the first run and then we got a lot better as the day wore on. So, you know, I’ll take being better at the end. That always gives you a better finish,” he said.
Rowdy was proud of the effort put in by his team to get him to a third-place finish in the race. Despite having to deal with certain issues throughout the season, he has been fairly consistent and the Richmond race showed yet again how good a driver he is.
“We were gonna be third or fourth anyway and we had to go through a restart to solidify that, but a great day for us. Struggled this year on the short track stuff, this was a huge improvement. So, proud of Randall and the guys, everybody at RCR, ECR for getting a lot of work done and getting us a lot of progress today.”
“Still fought the same tendencies and issues, it was just not as severe as we’ve had this year so made a lot better opportunity for me to be able to have grip on the car and get that NetSpend, X World Wallet, Chevrolet up front,” he added.
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HMS’ performance at Richmond was a disaster and their fans were definitely not holding back on Twitter as they shared their opinions in the comments section of the team’s tweet about the results.
WATCH THIS STORY: Kyle Busch Makes Bold Comments About His Chances at the Regular Season Championship
Hendrick Motorsports poor Richmond showing upsets NASCAR fans
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Several fans were left disappointed after the race on Sunday despite starting strong. A Twitter user commented under the HMS tweet, “Wouldn’t know a good Richmond setup if it smacked them in the face…team has gotta figure type of track out in the worst way.”
Conclusion in Richmond. pic.twitter.com/1araa8uMEo
— Hendrick Motorsports (@TeamHendrick) July 30, 2023
Another user commented, “Why does it seem like Hendrick cars don’t have a lot of speed. Byron has done well, Larson as well but Bowman and Elliott have been non factors in most of the races of late.”
“Elliot’s heart doesn’t seem in it….he seems lost this year”
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“Missed the setup today all around”
“Embarrassing across the board”
“When can the 9 fans expect an apology for this team’s performance?”
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NASCAR moves to the Michigan International Speedway for the next race and it will be intriguing to see if Hendrick Motorsports get their set-up right this time. After their dismal performance in Richmond, the team will be hungry to make a strong comeback and finish higher up.