Kyle Busch’s day ended abruptly in the Viva Mexico 250 at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez in Mexico City on Sunday, when he lost control on Lap 8 under wet conditions. This accident involved Kyle Larson and several other drivers, shaking up the race early on. Busch took responsibility for the crash, which occurred as drivers were navigating the restart with wet-weather tires in the rain.
As the race had just restarted in rainy weather, Busch struggled entering Turn 1, causing his No. 8 Chevrolet to spin and collide with Justin Haley, Kyle Larson, AJ Allmendinger, and Zane Smith. Busch explained his error to FOX Sports’ Bob Pockrass, recounting the incident with regret and ownership of his mistake.
“I went to the brakes and just ice,”
Kyle Busch said.
“Maybe it was a little too heavy of a brake spike. Just turned around backwards and spun out backwards. Hate it for all the guys that got involved because it was, obviously, purely my fault. I don’t know what I could have done differently. I broke at the 10 marker. It’s not like I was trying to break at the six.”
—Kyle Busch, NASCAR driver
“I was in trouble for a good second or two and then I was like, ‘I am going to nail some people so I probably should turn around backwards, and it at least try to soften the blow.’
—Kyle Busch, NASCAR driver
Team Efforts and Ramifications Following the Crash
After the collision, Busch’s team made efforts to repair his car and return it to the track, but their attempts failed, resulting in a DNF (did not finish) for Busch. Starting the race from 11th position, Busch had shown promise early on, but the wreck dashed those prospects and added to his ongoing struggles this season.
Currently, Kyle Busch sits 44 points below the playoff cutline, with only 10 races left in the regular season. His winless streak has now stretched to 73 races, highlighting a challenging period in his career. Busch’s contract with Richard Childress Racing runs through the 2026 season, providing both the driver and team motivation to improve moving forward.
How the Incident Affects Kyle Larson and the Race Outcome
Kyle Larson was one of the group caught up in the wreck caused by Busch. The early crash disrupted Larson’s race strategy and affected the competitive dynamics at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez. The incident not only impacted Larson and Busch but also involved several other key drivers, influencing the standings during this crucial point of the season.
Significance of the Early Crash and Future Implications
This early-race wreck underlines the challenges drivers face on wet tracks, especially during restarts when grip can be uncertain. For Busch, admitting fault adds pressure to salvage his season quickly as he strives to break free from his extended winless spell. The accident’s aftermath will likely influence team strategies and driver approaches in upcoming races, particularly as the playoffs draw near.
Kyle Larson’s involvement in this Mexico City wreck serves as a reminder of how quickly race fortunes can change and how critical driver decisions are in challenging conditions. As the season progresses, drivers and teams will need to remain cautious yet competitive to secure spots in the playoffs and avoid costly mistakes.
