Kyle Busch was having a solid run in Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series race at Watkins Glen International until contact with Denny Hamlin on Lap 45 lost him some valuable track position. The incident happened in Turn 7 as Ross Chastain attempted to make it three-wide.
That wasn’t going to work, and Busch paid the price. Chastain nudged Hamlin, which sent the No. 11 car into Busch. He got knocked sideways, though he was able to get it back straight and continue racing. Shortly after, however, his team asked him if there was anything they could do to help him.
“Not racing with dickheads would certainly help,” Busch said, via Lee Spencer of Catchfence.
Something goes wrong for Kyle Busch… again
Busch did add that something is wrong with his No. 8 Chevrolet when asked by his team if his steering was OK: “Yeah, but something f*cked up, it doesn’t turn to the left.”
Chastain has made contact with several drivers throughout the race. We know he loves to be aggressive, and this was another example of that. From the perspective of the No. 8 team, Chastain was to blame.
“That wasn’t your fault,” Busch was told. “The 1 divebombed into 11 and hit him in the right rear and got into you.”
Busch has recovered nicely since the incident, currently battling for position inside the top 10. But at this point in the season, a win is all that matters. It’s what Busch needs to clinch a playoff spot. Things just haven’t gone his way over the last two years at Richard Childress Racing — whether it’s been pit road mistakes or contact on the racetrack — Busch can’t catch a break.
To be fair, the entire field is looking up at Shane van Gisbergen at Watkins Glen. If he holds onto his lead, he’ll have his fourth victory in his rookie season in Cup competition.
