Kyle Busch did not seem dejected after sacrificing a potential win at the EchoPark Automotive Grand Prix. Busch fell short after leading for a race-high 42 laps, but was in good mood during the post-race interviews.
Kyle Busch Remains Upbeat After EchoPark Automotive Grand Prix Loss
Busch hardly resembled a driver stuck in a 59-race winless streak during Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series EchoPark Automotive Grand Prix at Circuit of the Americas. He was driving the No. 8 Chevrolet with renewed vigor and at one point seemed poised to end his dry spell in Austin, Texas.
But, the decisive moment was yet to come! A crucial late-race caution, caused by a tangle between Denny Hamlin and Austin Dillon in Turn 6A with 17 laps left, dramatically altered the race’s trajectory.
😳 Austin Dillon is stuck … after contact with Denny Hamlin. 😳 https://t.co/4JSRENKYZW pic.twitter.com/FweTq1CERR
— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) March 2, 2025
Busch failed to recover his momentum after that point and had to stay content with a top-five finish. Instead, Christopher Bell took home a crucial win, solidifying his playoff standing.
Kyle Busch: "I'll give Christopher [Bell] credit … He ran me really hard, and I was a complete butthead."
Rowdy talks with @kaitlynvincie after an intense battle at COTA. pic.twitter.com/lNKRhPwnLU
— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) March 3, 2025
“The contact we made with [Bell] there between [Turns] 2 and 3 bent the right rear, and it was a completely different race car after that,” Busch told FOX NASCAR after the race. “So, hate it for all the guys and everybody with Rowdy Nation, and RCR.
“We’ve got the grit. We’re from Welcome [North Carolina], and we’re going to outwork anybody there is to work,” Busch said about his team. “The guys did a phenomenal job with the race car that we brought to the race track.
“Unloading, just not the way I wanted it, and being able to make as many adjustments as we did there in practice and qualifying, and then there in the race having a really good race car. I can’t say enough about [crew chief] Randall [Burnett] and all the guys.”
The 39-year-old also congratulated Bell for winning the race.
“I’ll give Christopher credit though where credit is due. He ran me really hard, and I was a complete butthead, but he did a great job working me over and just doing it the right way and being able to get by,” Busch said. “Congrats to him, good job to the 20 bunch, but I wish it was us.”
