Kyle Busch faced a major setback during Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series race at Watkins Glen International when a collision involving Denny Hamlin and Ross Chastain disrupted his momentum. The incident took place in Turn 7 on Lap 45 as Chastain tried to push through three-wide racing, forcing Hamlin into Busch and causing Busch’s car to spin sideways.
Despite the contact, Busch managed to regain control and keep racing, but his team soon reached out to check if he needed assistance. Busch’s frustration was evident in his blunt remark about the situation.
Not racing with dickheads would certainly help,
Busch said, via Lee Spencer of Catchfence.
Mechanical Trouble Adds to Busch’s Challenges
Busch later revealed his car was suffering from handling issues, admitting his steering wasn’t functioning correctly after the collision. When asked about his steering, he responded bluntly about the difficulty turning left in his No. 8 Chevrolet.
Yeah, but something f*cked up, it doesn’t turn to the left.
Chastain’s aggressive moves have caused problems throughout the race, according to Busch’s team, who blamed Chastain for the incident. When Busch was reassured that the crash was not his fault, he was told,
The 1 divebombed into 11 and hit him in the right rear and got into you.
Busch Remains in the Hunt Amid Season Frustrations
After recovering from the incident, Busch fought back to remain inside the top 10 on the track, but with the season nearing critical stages, a win is essential to secure his playoff spot. Busch’s recent years at Richard Childress Racing have been riddled with setbacks, such as pit road errors and on-track collisions, making it difficult for him to gain traction.
Meanwhile, Shane van Gisbergen has emerged as the frontrunner at Watkins Glen, positioning himself for a potential fourth win in his rookie NASCAR Cup season.
Race Outcome and Broader Implications
This incident underscores the intense competitiveness and unpredictable nature of NASCAR events like the one at Watkins Glen, where aggressive driving can quickly shift fortunes. For Busch, overcoming these obstacles remains crucial as he strives to qualify for the playoffs and achieve victory in a challenging season. How the race concludes could influence the championship outlook as the field continues to battle fiercely.
