Kyle Busch has seen his fair share of controversy this season. In fact, he has seen his fair share of controversy the last couple years.
Some of it by his own making and others well it was just being Kyle Busch.
Busch wins in whatever type of vehicle he is in and while he is approaching 100 total NASCAR wins only 22 of them have come in the NSCS.
That has opened him up to fans and media criticism on how he can win in the minor leagues of racing but not in the majors.
Busch has an answer for that, “Yeah, you could say you’re obsessed with it, sure. I’d like to see us be able to win more often in the Cup Series. People aren’t quite complimentary about all that and how I can win Nationwide and Truck Series races all day long, but Cup it seems like I don’t win as often. Three or four or five wins in the Cup Series is a pretty good year for anybody. So, I feel like that’s pretty close.”
As unfair as some of his criticism is Busch has taken the comments from competitors, fans and the media with stride this season.
So much that in 2011 Busch has positioned himself to not only make the Chase but he could win the title.
Busch’s win pushed him to the top of the points standings but the bigger picture in the Chase is running well at Kentucky can bode well in the Chase.
With the Chase made up of mile and half tracks similar to Kentucky success here could help drivers in the Chase.
“We had it here tonight certainly. It was really good to figure this place out in Kentucky. But, you know, the next steps are, of course, going to be the Chase races that are the mile-and-a-half's, like Chicago and Texas, Charlotte is in there, Homestead is in there. Those places we've run well at in the past, but maybe not on a consistent basis. It would certainly be nice to know that we're figuring things out” Busch said.
Busch’s season statistically has been pretty good. He leads the series is lap led with 1050, he has the highest driver rating of 111.9 and his average running position is eighth.
This season his three wins go along with his 10 top fives and 11 top 10 finishes. He has been as consistent as any driver this season.
They have done a good job of bouncing back after a rough finish. In the three races this season where he has finished worse than 30th in two of those next races he won and in the third he finished 12th.
With just eight races to go until the Chase begins Busch could add a few more wins to his total.
This weekend is a very important race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. The Chase heads here after Chicago this season.
Running well here on Sunday could bode well for success in the fall.
Busch has one win, four top fives and six top 10 finishes at NHMS. In last years summer race Busch was in the hunt for the lead when contact with Jeff Burton sent him spinning as the laps wore down. Busch wound up finishing 11th.
Busch has in some ways mellowed out a bit. He thinks big picture along with his crew chief and team.
In years past a disappointing finish or mistake we would have seen Busch either avoid the media or say something he probably shouldn’t have.
In 2011, in the few rough races they have had Busch seems to take the high road. Finds the positives and moves on.
Not dwelling in the races where circumstance or luck was against him but realizing that taking what the car gives you will win you titles.
This season some say he has matured but the way I see it Busch is thinking big picture with a title in it.
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