BROOKLYN, Mich. – Report by Race Chaser Online Managing Editor Jacob Seelman – Josh Hedges/Getty Images North America photo –
Kyle Busch became a high-profile casualty of NASCAR Sprint Cup Series final practice on Saturday at Michigan International Speedway.
Busch was exiting turn four on a flying lap during the first half of the session when his car broke loose and he went careening towards the infield grass off the exit of the corner. When the No. 18 Interstate Batteries Toyota hit the grass, the front end dug into the turf and, as Busch put it over the radio, “ripped it to pieces” by the time it came to rest.
“I think we need to add more grass, and I think we need to make it taller,” Busch quipped after being released from the infield care center, reiterating his disdain for having grass at NASCAR tracks as opposed to paved runoff areas.
In a remarkable turnaround, crew chief Adam Stevens and the No. 18 crew got the team’s back-up car ready to roll in roughly 22 minutes, allowing Busch to turn several laps inside the final 10 minutes of practice.
The four-time Cup winner, who sits second on the provisional Chase Grid with four races remaining before the cut-off at Richmond, will have to forfeit his sixth-place starting position, however, and drop to the rear of the field for Sunday’s Pure Michigan 400.
At the front of the pack, Martin Truex Jr. led final practice with a lap of 191.729 mph.
The Pure Michigan 400 goes green at 1 p.m. Eastern on Sunday, with live coverage on NBC Sports Network.
About the Writer
Jacob Seelman is the Managing Editor of Race Chaser Online and creator of the Motorsports Madness radio show, airing at 7 p.m. Eastern every Monday on the Performance Motorsports Network. Seelman grew up in the sport, watching his grandparents co-own the RaDiUs Motorsports NASCAR Cup Series team in the 1990s. He is currently studying Broadcast Journalism at Winthrop University in Rock Hill, S.C., and is also serving as the full-time tour announcer for both the United Sprint Car Series and the Must See Racing Sprint Car Series.
Email Jacob at: [email protected]
Follow on Twitter: @Speed77Radio or @JacobSeelman77
