A difficult NASCAR Cup Series season continued for Kyle Busch on Sunday at Pennsylvania’s Pocono Raceway.
After scoring his first top-10 finish (ninth) last week at the Chicago Street Race since Kansas Speedway in May, there was optimism for Busch and Richard Childress Racing that the duo was headed in the right direction.
However, their struggles continued.
Busch, who was involved in an accident with 39 laps remaining in Sunday’s The Great American Getaway 400, finished 32nd. It was his fourth finish of 30th or worse in the last seven races.
After being checked and released from the infield care center, Busch thanked his sponsors before adding a quick note on the accident.
“It’s just unfortunate circumstances,” Busch said. “Thank you to Rowdy Nation, all the fans and everybody for their continued support. We’ll go back to work and get ready for Indianapolis.”
The two-time NASCAR Cup Series champion was short in describing what happened in the accident, which was triggered by Busch getting spun by Corey LaJoie entering turn one.
“That’s just racing these days.. it’s what happens,” Busch said.
The wreck punted Busch down the playoff grid to 19th, 102 points behind Ross Chastain, who holds the final postseason ticket.
Now with a steep hill to climb en route to making the playoffs on points with only five races remaining in the regular season, a victory is he and the No. 8 Chevrolet team’s only option to make the playoffs.
Fortunately for Busch, the famed Brickyard 400 looms next week, where Busch is a two-time winner in the event at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
With the schedule past the halfway mark, Busch’s consecutive seasons with a victory (18) is also on the line, as he is winless this year.