INDIANAPOLIS – Despite a mediocre, eighth-place finish in Monday’s rain-postponed Brickyard 400, Kyle Busch still locked up the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series regular-season championship at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
By virtue of scoring the most cumulative points through the first 26 races of the season, Busch earned an additional 15 playoff points for his postseason bank, giving him a grand total of 50 entering the 10-race stretch to determine the season champion.
The Las Vegas native officially put the cinch on the regular-season crown after the end of the second stage in Monday’s race, earning six bonus points between the first two stages to put the trophy out of Harvick’s reach.
Busch goes into the postseason tied for the top seed with title rival Kevin Harvick, after six wins, 17 top-fives and 21 top-10s so far this year. His average finish of 7.6 is best among all drivers in the Cup Series and his 1,116 laps led are second only to Harvick’s 1,220.
While that’s a stellar record, Busch was still disappointed to not be able to finish the regular season any stronger than he did on Monday afternoon.
“Man, what an ugly day. That’s one of the ugliest ones we’ve had here at the Brickyard in a long, long time,” said Busch, a two-time Brickyard 400 winner. “That wasn’t exactly what we were hoping for or what we wanted out of this M&Ms Caramel Camry and for our team, but it’s the day we were given. We had a lot of ups and downs, mostly downs and trying to fight back all the time, but just didn’t have quite the speed we were looking for either.
“I wish that we could’ve been faster than what we were and that we could have passed cars easier than what we were able to do. We just didn’t have that today,” Busch added. “Overall though, in the grand scheme of things, it was a pretty good day … considering we get to go home with some cool hardware and bank some more bonus points as we’re getting ready for Las Vegas and starting the playoffs.”
Busch becomes the second driver, following Martin Truex Jr.’s inaugural regular-season title run last season, to be crowned champion after the year’s first 26 races.
It’s a special honor, yes, but Busch’s focus is already on the big prize at the end of the road in Miami.
“It feels really good. They give away a trophy for the regular season and we were able to go out and get it,” noted Busch. “Everybody on this team, they have worked so hard all year long and to get us to where we’re at here today, it was certainly hard fought, especially today.
“I wouldn’t say it necessarily gives us any momentum, but it does kind of set us a little bit farther ahead compared to some of our competition, with the bonus point structure and the playoff points the way they are,” Busch continued. “The first round is going to be interesting with the Roval; the second round is going to be the same way with Talladega, so any bonus points you can pick up are obviously good ones and I feel like we did a good job of gaining some of those here so far this year.
“The big goal is the championship, though. We’ve gotten into the playoffs; now we want the big prize in Miami and getting that title for the second time.”
The quest for that title begins at Busch’s home track – Las Vegas Motor Speedway – where Busch has a victory and hopes spark a charge for his second crown in the last four seasons.
That’s something that Busch is particularly pleased about, even if his track record in the nine years since his lone win in Sin City has been hit-or-miss.
“Being able to go to Las Vegas for the kickoff this year is a bit different. I’m looking forward to that,” admitted Busch. “Normally we’re at a different venue. We’ve been at different venues for a few years, so this will be the first for Vegas, and I think it’s really special. We get an opportunity to go out there a little bit early, all the (playoff) drivers, and have a couple nights out on the town or what have you.
“I’m looking forward to getting out there and just being able to get to the race track. Normally, it’s a pretty good time of year to see some sunshine and some hot temperatures. I’m excited for that and for what Las Vegas has in store for all of us.”
