[autotag]Kyle Busch[/autotag] entered the Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway needing to win if he wanted to make the 2024 NASCAR playoffs. After the final pit stops, Busch looked to be in a great position with fresh tires with only Chase Briscoe in front of him. Unfortunately for the No. 8 team, the fresh tires weren’t enough, as Briscoe barely won the Southern 500.
It represented the second straight runner-up finish for Busch, who expressed disappointment after coming up short. Busch talked about missing the 2024 NASCAR playoffs and the missed opportunities throughout the season.
“Something to build on and get better for,” Busch said. “We just missed a lot in the early part of the year, through the middle part of the year, to put ourselves in this spot, to be on the outside looking in. To come in here for a last-ditch effort and have a shot. Early in the race, I wouldn’t have thought we had a shot. So felt like we really overachieved towards the end and got a really good finish for what we had or what I thought we had. We’ll take that and keep building on it.”
REPOST TO CONGRATULATE CHASE BRISCOE!
HE WINS THE SOUTHERN 500 AT DARLINGTON TO MAKE THE NASCAR CUP SERIES PLAYOFFS! pic.twitter.com/yf2YyPQcBv
— NASCAR on NBC (@NASCARonNBC) September 2, 2024
“Maybe I am a washed up old dog, but hopefully I can find a few more trophies…I wanted it last week. I wanted it this week. I wanted it in Atlanta. I wanted it in Vegas. There’s been a lot of opportunities. Daytona 500 we were up front all day. I can count ’em at least on a hand. Maybe I need two hands to count opportunities that have slipped away. We’re achieving right now and getting success from those runs and pulling into finishes that we need.”
Busch is definitely not a “washed up old dog” as he has 10 races to find a way to victory lane. Busch struggled alongside Richard Childress Racing and found himself in a must-win situation. The driver of the No. 8 car is still uber-talented as he nears victory lane again. Busch may not be a part of the 2024 NASCAR playoffs, but a win looks to be around the corner.
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