NASCAR has made some key changes in terms of increased car safety and some crucial rule changes this season. However, some of these changes have also been heavily scrutinized. One of those changes is the expansion of the restart zone by 50% during the first five races in 2023. The extended restart zone allows the leading car to decide where they want to hit the gas. However, the longer restart zone also became the cause of the biggest multi-car wreck in the history of the Auto Club Speedway in California a couple of weeks ago.
Luckily for Kyle Busch, he survived the wreck and went on to win his first Cup Series race with Richard Childress Racing. Recently, the two-time Cup Series champ triggered a new rivalry with Joey Logano after blaming him for the massive wreck in California that took out four cars.
After expressing his displeasure with Logano following an incident at the Colesium, Kyle Busch took yet another jab at the Team Penske driver during the post-practice press conference in Phoenix on Friday. While Joey Logano has denied break-checking allegations after the California wreck, Busch felt that Logano waited too long, resulting in a wreck between the cars back in the line.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Kyle Busch holds Logano accountable for California wreck-fest
During the post-practice interview at the Phoenix Raceway, Kyle Busch was asked to share his thoughts on the effectiveness of longer restart zones and if they gave the leading car an added advantage in controlling things on the track. In response, Busch said, “No. I think all it’s done is cause that wreck at California (Auto Club Speedway).” The RCR driver clearly does not think that an extended restart zone is a fruitful option for the drivers.
He added, “It’s only added a negative end to it because at California, Joey (Logano) was just maintaining his speed, and everyone was gaining, gaining, gaining, gaining and closing up their gaps because they were all trying to lay back and then time the run.
“So he just waited for everybody to run into everybody and then went at the end of the zone.”
Busch felt that Joey Logano was responsible for the lap 88 wreck at the Auto Club 400. The wreck happened during the restart, right before the end of the first half of the race. However, this isn’t the first time Busch has criticized Logano this season. He also condemned the #20 Ford driver after they brushed together at the Clash.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Busch called Joey Logano “two-faced”
Trending
“Hendrick Runs NASCAR”: Joe Gibbs & Co’s Protest Being Shut Down Amid Chevrolet Favoritism Enrages Fans
Kyle Larson Gives the Shock of the Season After a Miserable Round of 8 Sees the Former Champ Crash Out
Kyle Petty Stirs Outrage In NASCAR Fans With Bold Take on Chevrolet’s Blatant Race Manipulation
Situation Looks Bleak for Rick Hendrick and Co. as New Revelations Cement Allegations Against the Chevrolet Camp
Amidst the NASCAR Lawsuit Chaos, Tony Stewart’s Charters to Potentially Have a Resolution
During the Clash at the LA Memorial Coliseum last month, Joey Logano turned on Busch at turn 4 on lap 86. While Busch finished third in the race and Logano was left out of the top 10. Later, Busch did not hold back and called Joey Logano “two-faced.”
Meanwhile, Joey Logano also reflected on his rivalry with Kyle Busch a few weeks ago. The 32-year-old reckoned that he and Busch were quite similar on the track in terms of wanting to win. However, Logano believed that they were different off the track because he “cared about a lot of people.” Thus, the back-and-forth digs have continued between the two champions.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Watch This Story: Outpour of Support Almost Reduces Kyle Busch’s Wife Samantha to Tears Amid Major Health Scare