Kyle Busch experienced a challenging race at Pocono Raceway during Sunday’s The Great American Getaway 400, where a costly spin caused significant damage to his No. 8 Chevrolet. The 40-year-old driver admitted that his car’s performance deteriorated greatly after the incident, particularly while navigating traffic.
While running around 24th place, Busch spun on turn 2, sparking a multi-car collision that involved Christopher Bell, Shane Van Gisbergen, and Ty Dillon. This mishap echoed a similar situation Busch faced just one week prior at the Mexico City race, where he also lost control early, resulting in a did-not-finish (DNF) and marking his second DNF of the season.
Despite the damage, Busch stayed on the lead lap and managed to finish 20th, improving slightly from his 26th starting spot. However, his vehicle was compromised throughout the remainder of the race, making it difficult to compete effectively.
Reflecting on the difficult day, Busch said,
“Our Chevrolet team worked hard today at Pocono Raceway to overcome obstacles. A speeding penalty on pit road put us behind at the end of Stage 1, then we ended up with heavy damage to our Chevy after spinning towards the end of Stage 2. We just lost the air racing in traffic.”
“Crew chief Randall Burnett and the rest of the RCR team worked hard to keep us on the lead lap. Our Chevy was never the same after the spin, and handling was really bad in traffic,” he added.
Busch earned 17 points from the race but still remains 63 points short of the playoff cutoff, currently positioned 20th in the standings.
Kyle Busch’s Recent Challenges Reviewed by His Brother Kurt Busch
Kurt Busch, Kyle’s older brother and fellow Cup Series champion, acknowledged the ongoing struggles Kyle and their team, Richard Childress Racing (RCR), have endured this season. After a strong debut year with RCR that included multiple wins and a playoff appearance, Kyle has been unable to replicate that success since joining the team.
Commenting on Kyle’s recent performance, Kurt Busch said,
“Yeah, I’m seeing the slump from the No. 8 car and the No. 3 car this year, but those things happen. I mean, you’re on top of your game one year, you come back to the track next year and you’re like, ‘Why am I P20 on the board. It happens.”
The 2024 season has been particularly tough for Kyle Busch, marking his first time missing the playoffs since 2012, ending an 11-year streak of postseason appearances. Moreover, his current winless stretch has halted a remarkable run of achieving a race victory in 19 consecutive seasons.
His performance this year has included only one top-5 finish at The Circuit of The Americas and 62 laps led, but he has struggled to turn promising moments into wins. His average finish this year sits disappointingly at 18, highlighting his ongoing battle with consistency.
What Kyle Busch’s Struggles Mean for the Remainder of the Season
Kyle Busch’s difficulties at Pocono Raceway underscore a broader pattern of setbacks throughout his 2024 campaign. While never lacking effort from Busch or the Richard Childress Racing team, issues with vehicle handling and on-track incidents have prevented strong finishes and playoff contention. As the season progresses, recovering from these troubles will be crucial for the veteran driver to regain competitive form and secure a position in the postseason.
With his current position outside the playoff bubble and his team facing persistent challenges, Kyle Busch’s next races will be pivotal in determining whether he can overcome this slump and rekindle the success he has often found on the NASCAR Cup Series circuit.
