“It was meant a lot harsher than I took it”: Kyle Busch takes a cheeky dig at NASCAR’s ’help’ request amid the recent controversy

RCR driver Kyle Busch attended NASCAR's regular-scheduled meeting on Saturday, where the focus was on preventing potential race manipulation ahead of the Phoenix race. Later, in a post-meeting media availability, Busch characterized the message and tone of the meeting.

The controversial end to the Martinsville race resulted in three major penalties to three major Cup Series teams, including 23XI Racing, Trackhouse Racing, and Richard Childress Racing, for potential race manipulation. Each team driver and owner were fined $100k each and a one-race ban for team executives.

Drivers Ross Chastain and Austin Dillon helped Hendrick Motorsports driver William Byron by creating a blockade to help him succeed in the Championship Four race. On the other hand, Bubba Wallace slowed down in the final lap, helping Joe Gibbs Racing driver Christopher Bell gain one spot for his qualification.

Kyle Busch summarized the meeting and explained that NASCAR asked for drivers' cooperation to prevent race manipulation in the championship race. He mentioned that NASCAR might introduce new rules for the manufacturers. The meeting was intended to keep things fair and not engage in such actions.

The reporter asked Busch if the tone of the meeting was stern. The RFR driver recalled the previous meetings with Mike Helton, mentioning that the sanctioning association was calm and ended the meeting without yelling.

"So Mike wasn't there, so I didn't see it as a stern point being made, but it was one that was talked about, so I mean, they are not yelling and screaming, and I don't think so they are going to, so it's probably a lot harsher than I took it," stated Kyle Busch. [00:37]

The #8 Chevy Camaro ZL1 driver aims to score his maiden win of 2024 at the Cup Series Championship race at Phoenix Raceway.

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“I’m going to wall ride for 312 laps”: Kyle Busch's reply on keeping his winning streak alive

Joe Gibbs Racing driver Christopher Bell's hail melon-style move at the Martinsville race grabbed two-time Cup Series champion Kyle Busch's attention. Busch is on the verge of losing his at least one-win race streak this season. He has won at least one race from the past nine seasons and missed the playoffs for the first time in fifteen years.

The RCR driver recorded his last win at the World Wide Technology Raceway on June 4, 2023. The reporter questioned Busch if he had a "hail mary" move planned for the last race to keep his record alive.

“How many laps is the race? 312? I'm gonna wall ride for 312 (laps). And that will save it and I will win,” replied Kyle Busch in a hilarious tone and the reporters joined the round of laughter.

“But realistically, no...I mean, it's all about how good are you (and) can you keep yourself close enough to the front and have a shot,” Busch added.

Busch stands 20th in the driver standings with 750 points and has led 229 laps in 32 starts this season. Additionally, he has clinched five top-five wins and ten top-ten finishes. His best performances were at the Darlington Raceway and Daytona International Speedway, where he finished as the runner-up driver.