RELATED: Updated series standings | Latest Chase Grid
With only four 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. He is currently the only driver with multiple wins who has yet to clinch a spot in the Chase.
WHAT JUST HAPPENED: After starting the Watkins Glen race in the eighth spot, Kyle Busch finished second at the Cheez-It 355 -- his fifth top five at the Glen. With Kevin Harvick on the losing side of a fuel strategy on the white-flag lap, Busch snagged the runner-up position at the road course. "Rowdy," who led three laps, entered the top 30 with his second-place finish. Despite getting into the top 30, this does not secure a Chase spot.
WHAT HE NEEDS: With four wins this season, Busch still needs to stay in the top 30 in the standings and be able to start the remaining regular-season races to be eligible for the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup. With four races to go before Chicagoland, Busch is unofficially in 30th place. He is six points ahead of Cole Whitt, who currently sits in 31st.
WHAT'S NEXT: The NASCAR Sprint Cup Series is headed to Michigan International Speedway for the Pure Michigan 400. In 21 starts there, Busch has one win, four top fives, 6 top 10s and one pole. His victory at Michigan came in 2011's Pure Michigan 400. The last time he raced at Michigan was back in June for the Quicken Loans 400, where he finished in 43rd after a crash on Turn 4 while on Lap 53.