Kyle Busch has certainly earned the title of the unluckiest driver this season. Despite leading three races and being on the brink of victory at Daytona, Darlington, and Kansas, he has yet to clinch a win. The first two disappointments came on the final lap, resulting in Busch missing out on a playoff spot. However, the situation at Kansas unfolded quite differently.
At Kansas, Busch found himself in a tense battle to lap Chase Briscoe, who had previously bested him at Darlington. Unfortunately for Busch, this attempt to gain ground led to a disastrous spin, costing him the lead and ultimately finishing the race in 19th place. Once again, he missed a crucial opportunity for victory. In the aftermath, many critics pointed fingers at Briscoe, suggesting he failed to provide the veteran driver with adequate room to pass. Yet, Kevin Harvick, a seasoned voice in the sport, offered a different perspective, challenging that narrative.
Busch is facing the looming possibility of a winless season, an unprecedented occurrence in his full-time Cup Series career. With this reality on the horizon, it’s only natural for Busch to go all out in pursuit of a victory. When he saw the chance to lap Briscoe, he seized it, hoping to widen his lead. However, lurking just behind was Ross Chastain, a formidable threat who added pressure to Busch’s maneuver.
Kaitlyn Vincie, along with the crew from Kevin Harvick’s Happy Hour podcast, dove into the details of the incident. Vincie expressed her belief that Briscoe had left no room for Busch to pass. However, Harvick offered his insights, recalling, “I saw enough room. Okay, personally. And when you go back and look at that, when I was initially watching this, I looked at my wife, and I’m like, ‘Oh, 14 just put the eight in a fence.’”
Harvick elaborated that there was indeed a couple of feet of space available. After analyzing the various interviews and perspectives surrounding the event, he concluded that Briscoe had indeed left a lane open. Still, the lack of space on either side of the car made it seem tighter than it was, leading to the chaotic moment that followed.
In the heat of the race, Busch encountered some dirty air, causing him to lose control and slam into the wall. After examining footage from multiple angles, Harvick shared his thoughts on Briscoe’s position during the incident. “He’s a playoff guy, and he’s trying to stay on the lead lap and not go a lap down and be in a position to where he can’t salvage something else out of the finish,” he noted. Harvick emphasized that when looking at the incident from above, Briscoe did indeed leave a lane open. He drew from his experience, explaining how the aerodynamics at speeds exceeding 200 mph can create unpredictable situations.
Harvick reflected on the tumultuous season Busch has had, noting how spinning out has plagued him on multiple occasions. Meanwhile, Briscoe finished in 24th place after the incident, struggling to regain his position in the race but still hoping for better days ahead.
This season marks Briscoe’s fourth year in the Cup Series, and he made it to the playoffs for the second time. Though his chances appeared slim at first, a stunning performance at Darlington turned everything around. With a last-ditch effort to secure a top-16 spot, Briscoe shocked everyone with a strong finish. However, his playoff debut was a nightmare. He faced a DNF at Atlanta after colliding with Kyle Larson just before the end of stage one. Larson’s spin sent him crashing into the wall, leaving a haze of smoke on the track that left Briscoe confused and ultimately led to his own crash.
In his subsequent races, Briscoe bounced back, finishing 6th at The Glen and 8th at Bristol, but his luck took another downturn at Kansas with a P24 finish that put him on the chopping block. To advance to the next round, winning is often the clearest path for any driver, and with only two races remaining before the next elimination, the pressure is mounting.
The upcoming tracks—Talladega and ROVAL—are notoriously challenging, but with his back against the wall, the question remains: can Briscoe rise to the occasion and push through to the next round? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
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