As the green flag was waved at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, Kyle Busch embarked on a tumultuous journey that would soon expose the “evil” lurking within his race car. It was a race filled with highs and lows. Highs for drivers like Martin Truex Jr, and lows for drivers like Kyle Busch, who crashed at the end of the first stage and was forced to retire from the Crayon 301. The incident marked a setback for Busch, whose struggles with the aero package had been evident throughout the weekend.
Whether from a frustrated spotter’s perplexity or from Busch’s irritation standpoint, the stage was set for a captivating tale of mishaps, crashes, and the relentless pursuit of redemption.
Frustration mounted as Kyle Busch battled for control
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In the Crayon 301, Busch started from the back of the field and had only managed to make modest progress when disaster struck at the end of Stage 1. His #8 Chevrolet, owned by Richard Childress Racing, lost control in Turn 1 and collided with the wall. The damage sustained by the car’s right rear and right front was deemed irreparable, forcing Busch to retire from the race. He ultimately finished in last place, 36th overall.
During the race, frustrated RCR spotter Derek Kneeland could be heard on the radio stating something that sounded very much like Rowdy himself.
He said, “I don’t know what going on. We’re kind of all over the place on the straightway.”
This was right before Rowdy exasperatedly stated, “Evil on the Brakes. Evil off the corners. No right rear.”
Corey LaJoie, driving the #7 Spire Motorsports Chevy, also experienced a crash. However, LaJoie could continue after repairs and meet the minimum-speed requirement at the start of Stage 2. He spent considerable time in the garage for further repairs but finished the race in 33rd place.
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When did the streak of bad luck at New Hampshire start for Kyle Busch?
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A weekend of woes for Kyle Busch: Practice mishaps and starting from the back
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During practice, Busch hit the wall off Turn 2, causing damage to the right side of his car. However, his team promptly restored the vehicular damage to its former glory. Busch, regrettably, lost control of his vehicle while negotiating the precarious Turn 1, crashing into the wall with the rear end of his automobile. This mishap rendered Busch’s starting position dishearteningly located at the rear of the racing pack.
The struggles continued for Busch and the #8 team during the race. The aero package proved difficult to handle. Reflecting on his struggles, Busch highlighted the lack of right-rear grip as a persistent issue throughout the weekend. He expressed frustration with driving his car, particularly when attempting a different line on the track. In this instance, he took the high line on entry, which compromised his ability to maintain control and ultimately resulted in the crash.
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Overall, Kyle Busch’s weekend at New Hampshire Motor Speedway was filled with fewer ups and more downs, culminating in a disappointing crash and retirement from the Crayon 301. The team’s struggle to find the right setup contributed to Busch’s difficulties on the track. As the season progresses, Busch must regroup and focus on bouncing back to maintain his position in the Cup Series standings.