Kyle Busch hopes Richard Childress Racing team 'didn't use it all up' at Michigan

Kyle Busch didn’t snap his now 45-race winless streak in Monday’s FireKeepers Casino 400 at Michigan, but he did record his first top-five finish since Dover back in April.

Busch finished fourth at Michigan and led 24 laps but most importantly, showcased some of the speed his car has been lacking often times this season. The two-time Cup Series champion, who felt he had a sixth or seventh place car, came away overall pleased with his “overachieving” performance.

The two-tire call was the right one late for Kyle Busch, who finished fourth and could at least leave Michigan knowing he probably got the best result possible (for the first time in what seems a long time). pic.twitter.com/ElG6iqTSmT

— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) August 19, 2024

“That was definitely maybe a little overachieving,” Busch told Bob Pockrass of FOX Sports. “Felt like a couple guys behind us were a little faster. We were probably about a sixth, seventh place car there at the end but we had the track position on them, so we held them off and was able to get a spot there on that final restart. Good day for the Lucas Oil Chevrolet and everybody on this RCR team.”

Kyle Busch encouraged by solid run at Michigan

Busch was helped to a top-five run by his crew chief, Randall Burnett, who made the call to go two tires only on their final pit stop late in Stage 3. He came out ahead of the pack led by eventual race-winner Tyler Reddick and held him off for a few laps before Reddick advanced past him. Still, Busch was able to stand his ground for the remainder of the stage and in overtime to score his best finish in months.

Unfortunately for Busch, the P4 result doesn’t change much as it relates to his playoff hopes. For Busch, it’s simple: Win and you’re in. Michigan was a step in the right direction, but Busch hopes there’s more left in the tank for Daytona this coming Saturday. Busch has just one-career victory at Daytona, the 2008 Coke Zero 400.

“Definitely due for one,” Busch said. “Would like to say we didn’t wanna use it all up today and we have a little more next week.”