Kyle Busch crashes in Sprint Cup practice at Michigan

Busch spun and crashed during Happy Hour practice for the Pure Michigan 400 at Michigan global Speedway Saturday.

Jeff Gordon has won three Sprint Cup races at Michigan, including a victory last August, but that may not mean much this time. “We’ve seen some good things with that package”.

Busch has won four times this year, but he’s only 30th in points because he missed 11 races after breaking his right leg and left foot in February.

BETTER WEATHER: Kurt Busch won the June race at Michigan, but it was shortened because of rain. Busch needs to finish in the top 30 in the standings after 26 races – Michigan is race No. 23 – to qualify for the Chase. There are four more races before the cut-off.

Busch had been ninth fastest in final practice to Martin Truex Jr. before damaging the nose of his Toyota.

Kenseth wasn’t pleased with his practice run earlier Friday, when he was 10th at 193.543.

“We kind of screwed up in qualifying yesterday, disappointed that we have to start back there, but we kind of reset today and we feel good about it going into tomorrow”, Pearn said. I just got too tight there and didn’t hit the lap flawless and we ended up sixth. “Just started to get a little free up off (Turn) 4.”.

“It’s a lot more drag versus downforce studies. It’s kind of a different challenge for sure”.

Busch finished Saturday in the Camping World Trucks Veterans 200 race after being sent to the rear of the field after a pit speeding penalty.

Kyle Busch isn’t a big fan of grass at racetracks. “But I really don’t know”.

Busch and his wife, Samantha, hosted him at the truck race.

“I was just running along, everything was fine and I was actually feeling pretty good about it. It then started stepping out like it did here in spring”. “My first one was supposed to be Charlotte, but it just wasn’t going to be a smart one just after my return to the Cup vehicle”. It wasn’t long before he he was back in front.

GIBBS ON A ROLL: Busch’s crash was a rare misstep lately for Joe Gibbs Racing, which swept the top three spots in qualifying Friday.

NASCAR officials did so after meeting with teams, drivers and OEMs in the MIS garage. I just hold it wide open.

“I think we should have more grass and it should be taller”, said Busch, who is still fighting to stay eligible for the Chase for the Sprint Cup Championship and can not afford incidents like Saturday’s. “But it’s a unique situation that only a few of us have been through, and we can relate to each other through that”. “I wouldn’t call it a struggle”.