KYLE BUSCH – ‘Outrageously Dependable’ As Chase Looms Near
HUNTERSVILLE, N.C. (Aug. 17, 2011) – Kyle Busch hasn’t always been the driver people associated with the word consistency. But now, just four races before the 10-race, 12-driver Chase for the Sprint Cup Championship is set to begin, nobody has been more outrageously dependable when it comes to consistent finishes than the talented 26-year-old.
Busch, driver of the No. 18 Interstate Batteries Toyota Camry for Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR), has already posted 10 finishes of third or better and, after two top-three finishes in-a-row, he has vaulted to the series points lead as the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series heads to the second of two stops at Michigan International Speedway in Brooklyn for Sunday’s Pure Michigan 400.
The Las Vegas native has been a fixture at the front of the field this season, having led a series-high 1,136 laps, which is more than double that of his brother Kurt, who has led the second-most laps with 548. But, even more impressive for Busch is the fact he has amassed a very consistent 12 top-five and 14-top-10 finishes to go with his three wins earned over the course of the first 22 races this season.
With those solid numbers, Busch appears to be ensured a spot in the Chase, which will get underway just four races from now. While he has the aforementioned three wins, he’ll be looking to add more in an effort to add to the 30 bonus points he already has accumulated before NASCAR’s version of the playoffs begin. Just like Interstate Batteries’ slogan, Busch and Company are hoping to be “Outrageously Dependable” over the next four races in order to not only earn, but maximize their position in the Chase and the chance to go after the season-ending championship.
While Busch has struggled at the 2-mile oval at Michigan at times during his Sprint Cup career, he and the Interstate Batteries team looked solid during their first visit in June, leading 59 laps and bringing home a third-place finish. So, as Busch heads back to the Irish Hills of Michigan this weekend, he and his teammates look to add another consistent finish by building upon June’s strong run and take aim for Busch’s first Sprint Cup victory at the legendary racetrack.