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July 11, 2015

Kyle Busch Chase Watch

By Staff Report

NASCAR.com

Published:

2 Minute Read

See what the driver of the No. 18 Toyota needs to make the Chase

RELATED: Updated series standings | Latest Chase Grid

With only eight races left until the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup, it’s time to check up on Kyle Busch, driver of the No. 18 Toyota for Joe Gibbs Racing, as he tries to rebound from early-season injuries and make the Chase.

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WHAT JUST HAPPENED: For the second time in three weeks Kyle Busch visited Victory Lane. Busch was dominant at Kentucky, leading 163 of 267 laps in taking the checkered flag. Busch went back and forth with former teammate Joey Logano late in the race before pulling away for good on Lap 248. The victory was Busch’s 31st in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series and his second at Kentucky. More importantly, the points earned from the win helped make a sizable dent into the ground he needs to cover to get into the top 30 in the points standings (more on that below).

WHAT HE NEEDS: With two wins in hand, Busch now just needs to finish in the top 30 in the points standings to make the Chase. After Kentucky, he is unofficially in 35th place, 87 points behind 30th-place driver Cole Whitt. According to NASCAR statistical services, if all things continue at this pace, Busch roughly needs an average finish of 17th over the next eight races.



WHAT’S NEXT: The NASCAR Sprint Cup Series heads to the Magic Mile of New Hampshire Motor Speedway. In 20 starts there, Busch has one win, seven top fives and 10 top 10s. His victory at Loudon came in 2006 during his tenure at Hendrick Motorsports, but he has fared well there recently with three runner-up finishes in his past four starts. Busch also has two poles at the 1.058-mile track and the third-best starting position among active drivers (10.8).


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