Busch restarted ninth with simply 17 laps to go at Darlington, shortly rocketed up by way of the sector on barely more energizing rubber. It was a heroic drive from the two-time NASCAR Cup Collection champion, who’s dealing with his first winless season since becoming a member of the Cup season full-time in 2005.
It took him solely two laps to chop a path up into second-place with one other must-win driver simply forward of him — Chase Briscoe. They have been everywhere in the observe because the tires aged, and Busch desperately looked for clear air. He closed in, however by no means fairly obtained alongside, ending second to but one other shock winner in back-to-back weeks. His 2024 playoff run is over earlier than it even obtained the possibility to start.
“Once I made it by way of a couple of of these guys proper there on the beginning, I assumed we had a begin to get there,” stated Busch, believing he had sufficient life within the tires to overhaul Briscoe. “I believe I simply wanted him to have possibly three or 4 extra laps, older tires for me to have the ability to break by way of the wake. As soon as I obtained inside his air, I actually did not have sufficient to energy by way of that, to get nearer. I used to be form of sliding already.
“Hate it for our guys, everyone on our crew, everyone at RCR. They turned it round these final 4, 5 weeks and we have run quite a bit higher. That is been a lot improved, helpful to our crew and the group.”
Race winner Chase Briscoe, Stewart-Haas Racing, Ford Mustang
Photograph by: David Rosenblum / NKP / Motorsport Photos
Busch applauded the crew for enhancements made all through the race, commenting that “we actually overachieved in direction of the tip.” It is one thing to construct off of after a dismal yr for the No. 8 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet. They’ve appeared to show it round in latest weeks, but it surely was just too little, too late.
Missed alternatives
He was left to ponder all of the moments the place the checkered flag slipped by way of his fingers. Notably, again in March, he was the center automobile in a three-wide photograph at Atlanta, lacking out on the victory by mere inches.
“I needed it final week. I needed it this week. I needed it in Atlanta. I needed it in Vegas. There’s been numerous alternatives. Daytona 500 we have been up entrance all day. I can depend ’em a minimum of on a hand. Possibly I want two arms to depend alternatives which have slipped away.”
Now, the veteran driver could have ten weeks to maintain his document streak of 19 consecutive seasons with a Cup win alive.
