The NASCAR Playoffs in 2023 did not go according to plan for Kyle Busch, and he was largely left out of NASCAR: Full Speed, accordingly. With the series focusing on the main championship contenders, Busch and his RCR team were left with a minimal appearance.
When you have to tell a story of 10 races in just five episodes, it can be difficult to include everyone. Even with the lack of Rowdy in Full Speed, the series has found success in America and abroad, making top-10 lists worldwide.
After the Busch Light Clash, a journalist from TV Guide magazine asked Kyle Busch, Joey Logano, and Ryan Blaney about how the series portrayed them Blaney and Logano had their own moments in the series, more than Rowdy.
The drivers couldn’t help themselves, cracking jokes about the small cameo Busch had.
“I came across amazing, I think I was the star of the show,” Busch said. “How about you guys?”
That’s when Ryan Blaney replied, “I loved watching you in it. I loved it.” Meanwhile, Joey Logano smiled along as they joked.
Blaney also said that it was “neat” for new fans to learn about the sport and drivers. Logano was happy about the series, but wishes it had been done a year earlier.
“Of course he [Blaney] likes it. He won the championship, and it’s cool,” Logano said of his Team Penske teammate.
Maybe Kyle Busch will have a bigger role to play in Season 2 of the series. Hopefully, we get a Season 2 of Full Speed.
Kyle Busch disappointed with P2 finish at Clash
For three years in a row, Kyle Busch finished on the podium at the Busch Light Clash at the Coliseum. However, that does little for him as he was unable to get a win in this event, yet again.
His former teammate at JGR, Denny Hamlin, went on to get the win at the Coliseum. It was a tough battle on the final restart. Hamlin had a ton of speed and even though he smoked his tires in the corners, he was just able to stay out front.
For Busch, it brings his finishes in the Coliseum to P2, P3, P2. Here’s a fun fact for you: drivers don’t like to finish second. Or third. While Ricky Bobby’s famous catchphrase, if you ain’t first you’re last, is satirical, it can feel that way for drivers many times.
After the race, the runner-up talked about coming up short once again.
“It definitely does sting. I felt like the first half we were better. Had a better car. We were better than the 11. But some of the adjustments we made weren’t as good, some of the adjustments they made were better.”
Tough ending to a solid day for Kyle Busch. He will now focus his attention on Daytona. He hopes that if he is leading on lap 200 like he was a year ago, it is indeed the final lap of the race.
More must-reads: