TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Busch's Season Takes Wrong Turn At Dover

ADVERTISEMENT

The Associated Press

The Tampa Tribune

Published: September 22, 2008

DOVER, Del. - Kyle Busch's season has disintegrated from dominant to disaster.

Busch failed again in the second race in the Chase for the Championship, his title chances up in smoke like his No. 18 Toyota as it limped off the track and was pushed into the garage for a premature finish. He finished 43rd at Dover International Speedway, and continued his plummet down the standings - first to eighth to 12th.

"We're out of the title hunt, that's for sure," a glum Busch said. "So we'll just manage what we can."

Struck last week by a loose bolt on his sway bar, Busch was done in Sunday by a blown engine that all but ended his shot at a title. Tony Stewart, his Joe Gibbs Racing teammate, said Busch needs to focus on winning races and not worry about his spot in the Chase.

"It's been a remarkable, record-setting year for that kid," Stewart said. "The best way to finish it off now is to go out there and win three or four races during the Chase."

Busch had been bulletproof all season en route to a Cup-best eight victories and 19 wins overall in the Sprint Cup, Nationwide and Trucks Series - including a victory on the Monster Mile on Saturday in the Nationwide race. He entered the Chase expecting to win a title and would probably settle now with a top 10.

JGR'S TOUGH DAY: Busch had some Joe Gibbs Racing company in the garage. Denny Hamlin's No. 11 Toyota needed work once a broken shaft forced him off the track. Hamlin finished 38th and dropped from a solid sixth to a disappointing 11th in the Chase points standings - 193 points behind leader Carl Edwards.

The only driver in a worse spot is Busch.

Stewart had the best finish of the JGR drivers. The two-time Cup champion was 11th making it the first time all season JGR didn't score a top-10 finish. Stewart maintained his seventh-place spot in the standings.

STILL WINLESS: Jeff Gordon won the pole, but he couldn't take the checked flag.

Make it 28 races this year and counting without a win for the four-time Cup champion.

Gordon finished seventh at Dover International Speedway, good enough to bump him in the Chase points standings from 11th to eighth. He's still 118 points behind Edwards and knows he needs to find a way into Victory Lane soon if he's going to make a serious push for championship No. 5.

The Associated Press

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT