Kyle Busch experienced a challenging practice session at Iowa Speedway on August 2, where he lost control of his car and collided with the outside wall. His Kyle Busch Iowa practice mishap forced him to switch to a backup car as a result of significant damage sustained in the crash. Despite posting the second-fastest lap time earlier in the session, Busch’s attempt to gain better rear grip ended with the car getting loose and crashing.
The 40-year-old driver explained the incident to the media, describing how he misjudged the grip at the back of his car.
“Just trying to find the right rear limit, find the right rear grip that we needed and made some good changes to the car each time we came down,”
Busch said via X/Frontstretch.
He continued,
“Felt really good in three and four there, I throttled up, car stuck well and I’m like, ‘okay, the right rear is good, let’s go’, and drove it off into one with a little bit more trust factor in it. And obviously it wasn’t there so got a little bit loose and overcorrected and just smacked the fence.”
Impact on Busch’s Starting Position and Team Performance
Kyle Busch confirmed he was unharmed and ready to compete despite the incident. However, the crash disrupted his preparations, meaning he will begin Sunday’s Iowa Corn 350 from the back of the field, marking his poorest starting spot this season. Meanwhile, teammate Austin Dillon showed promising pace by qualifying within the top 20. Both drivers represent Richard Childress Racing in the event.
Concerns Over Iowa Speedway’s Challenging Track Conditions
Earlier in the week, Busch expressed worries about the demanding nature of Iowa Speedway, particularly the risks tied to tire grip and track grooves. During a pre-race media session, he recalled a tire test at the track, highlighting how quickly the car can lose control if a driver deviates from the racing line.
“We went to Iowa Speedway for the tire test earlier this year, and we found out just how treacherous it is when there were only four of us there. You get out of the groove, and your car just wants to take off to the wall. So, it was very, very sketchy. I’m not even sure which tire Goodyear ended up deciding to bring back to Iowa,” he said via Sportsrush.com
Polesitter Chase Briscoe, who was one of the four participants in that tire test, agreed with Busch’s assessment, adding that the track’s surface demands precise handling to avoid crashes.
Busch’s Iowa Record and Playoff Implications
While Busch has found success at Iowa Speedway before, winning races in the ARCA Menards Series and the Truck Series, his recent Cup Series outings have been less favorable. Last year, mechanical problems ended his race prematurely. Currently positioned 81 points below the playoff cutoff, Busch faces pressure to recover during this race, especially as Ryan Preece from RFK Racing also starts near the back in 33rd place, intensifying the competition for the postseason spots.
