Daytona International Speedway has always been a track where anything can happen, and this weekend, Kyle Busch is hoping it will offer him the chance to turn around what has been a challenging season. Busch, a two-time NASCAR Cup Series Champion, is currently enduring his longest winless streak in the Cup Series, a situation that has become a significant mental challenge for him. In fact, Busch has openly stated that the psychological difficulties he is facing this year have been more challenging to overcome than his physical recovery from a severe crash at Daytona in 2015. Busch has been a constant presence in the playoffs since 2012, making this year’s struggles all the more surprising.
Kyle Busch’s winless season has been a shock to many, especially considering his remarkable record of 19 consecutive seasons with at least one victory. If he cannot find his way to victory lane before the playoffs, it would be the first time in nearly two decades that he would go a full season without a win. Daytona could be Busch’s best opportunity to avoid this fate, given his history of strong performances at the track.
Busch’s statistics for the 2024 season have been far from what fans have come to expect. In the 24 races held so far, he has only secured three top-five finishes and seven top-ten finishes. His struggle for consistency has been evident, with five DNFs (Did Not Finish) to his name this year, and an average finish of 18.7, a stark contrast to his usual performance levels. To put this in perspective, this is his worst average finish since 2005, when he averaged a 24.9 finish. It’s almost hard to believe that a driver with 63 career Cup Series wins has gone 45 races without a victory. His last win came at the Illinois 300 in 2023.
Busch has not been shy about discussing how difficult this season has been for him. In a recent interview with NBC Sports, he reflected on the challenges he’s faced, saying, “It’s tough. When you have done as well as you’ve done and the success and the accolades and everything that you have and you get ran over and beat down, all that sort of stuff, it’s hard to get yourself back up again to go back out there.” This period of adversity has lasted longer than any other slump in his career, making it a significant hurdle for him to overcome.
Despite these difficulties, Busch remains hopeful. He understands what it takes to win at Daytona and knows that it often comes down to being in the right place at the right time. During a recent press conference, he remarked, “There are 36 guys that show up and walk through the gate and at least think that they have a shot to win so they’re going to go out and prove that they can. A lot of Hail Marys are thrown and sometimes a lot of wrecks happen. You’ve got to be in the right place at the right time and hope for the best.” The optimism is there, not just from Busch, but also from his team at Richard Childress Racing (RCR) and his loyal fans. However, the big question remains—how realistic are Busch’s chances of securing a win at Daytona?
NASCAR analyst Eric Estepp recently discussed Busch’s chances at Daytona in a video, pointing out that the veteran driver has a solid shot at victory. Estepp was joined by another analyst, Greg Matherne, who emphasized Busch’s strong performance in the Gen 7 car at Daytona. Matherne noted, “When we look at the stats it makes a certain amount of sense if we look at average running position across those 10 races in the Gen 7 car. Kyle Busch has the second-best average running position of anyone in the Cup Series in those races. He’s got an average running position of 13.04, which is second only to Chase Elliott at 12.92.”
Busch’s chances have also caught the attention of NASCAR legend Dale Earnhardt Jr. In a recent episode of his podcast, Earnhardt warned other teams not to underestimate Busch at Daytona. He said, “They have been good at Daytona, and so I would watch out. When they go to Daytona, if you’re wanting to be entertained, keep your eye on the car of Kyle Busch. The dude’s going to be hellbent, risk-it-all.” While Busch is undoubtedly determined to secure a win, the competition at Daytona is fierce, and the race is known for being unpredictable.
With just one more race left before the playoffs, the upcoming race at Daytona is critical for many drivers hoping to clinch a playoff spot. Among the recent winners at Daytona are drivers like Chris Buescher, Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Austin Dillon, Austin Cindric, and Michael McDowell—all of whom will be fighting hard to secure their place in the playoffs. Buescher, in particular, is in the thick of the playoff battle, along with Bubba Wallace and Ross Chastain, both of whom are equally desperate for a win. The race will also see top contenders like Tyler Reddick, who has been consistently strong throughout the season.
Busch will also need to keep an eye on Denny Hamlin, who will be looking to accumulate as many points as possible after losing some due to penalties. Hamlin, a three-time Daytona 500 champion, is considered one of the favorites to win the Coke Zero Sugar 400, given his consistent success on superspeedways. Another strong contender for the race is Brad Keselowski, who also has an impressive record on superspeedways. Keselowski is a past Daytona winner and recently finished second at Talladega, a track with some similarities to Daytona.
Busch, however, is coming into this race with a bit of momentum, having finished fourth in the most recent race at Michigan. This strong performance could be the boost he needs to finally break his winless streak and secure a spot in the playoffs. The Daytona race will be a crucial test for Busch, and his performance there will likely determine whether he can keep his playoff hopes alive.
As Busch heads into Daytona, the stakes couldn’t be higher. The race is not only an opportunity for him to end his winless streak but also a chance to secure his place in the 2024 playoffs. While the competition will be tough, Busch’s experience and past success at Daytona could give him the edge he needs. However, in a race as unpredictable as Daytona, anything can happen, and Busch will need to be at his best to come out on top.
Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see if Busch can rise to the occasion and reclaim his spot among the Cup Series’ elite drivers. Whether or not he succeeds, one thing is certain—this year’s race at Daytona is shaping up to be one of the most exciting and crucial events of the season.
What do you think? Will Kyle Busch finally break his winless streak at Daytona and secure his place in the playoffs? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
Kyle Busch Is the Biggest Sleeper Heading to Daytona With Rowdy Looking to Salvage a Playoff Spot
