Race Team #8’s radio came alive just before the most important part of NASCAR’s most important race – and the team’s driver spoke some truth.
“That was the win in 1998 boys!” said Kyle Busch.
This truth related to Dale Earnhardt Sr.
It also contained a lot.
In 1998, Earnhardt entered Daytona International Speedway as one of the greatest drivers of all time. He had won his seven championships in the Cup Series. He had well earned his nickname “The Intimidator” — he was an uncompromising driver who was among NASCAR’s most transcendent and polarizing figures.
But he hadn’t won a Daytona 500 in 19 attempts.
Busch similarly entered Sunday’s Daytona 500 as a two-time Cup champion with just about every nickname imaginable. But like Earnhardt, he eluded a Daytona 500 win.
In that fateful race almost 25 years ago, Earnhardt won. There was no overtime then and he won cautiously.
At the Sunday race there was over time. Then Busch made his comment over the radio. Eventually, however, Busch got lost in an overtime wreck and finished 19th.
In other words, Busch and Earnhardt have a lot in common. Busch hoped this race could be 25 years after Earnhardt won it be 1998 version – a great player of all time, capturing victory long eluded him.
“I think that was the first time I led lap 200 here,” he told reporters after exiting the track’s infield care center. “So I wish it were the 1998 rules.”
Busch’s Richard Childress Racing teammate Austin Dillon was also hoping Sunday could be the time for the 8th car to shine. The two worked together late on to get past Brad Keselowski and Chris Buescher – and if the race had stayed green they probably would have finished in the top two.
But Daniel Suarez spun before the white flag appeared in regulation.
A restart has been initiated.
And Busch’s chances for the title were ruined.
“I hate it because I really wanted to put Kyle Busch in victory lane at the Daytona 500,” said Dillon. “Honestly, looking back, I probably should have been a little more selfish up to that point, but it was one of those deals that’s tough to be on.
“I wish it had been the white flag for the position we were in.”
Busch was critical of what he thinks has become of the Daytona 500. He called the finish of the race earlier this week a “wreck fest” – explaining that winning this race is mostly awkward, winning this race doesn’t mean you’re a top rider.
On Sunday night, he shed similar frustration.
“It’s just part of it,” he said. “I come here every year just to find out when and where I fall and what lap I get out of the care center.”
JTG Daugherty Racing’s Ricky Stenhouse Jr. took the checkered flag on Sunday. Stenhouse has won three races in his Cup career – two of them in Daytona.
Busch said: “Who won? I don’t know who was lucky at all.”
Then he was told it was Stenhouse.
“There you have it,” Busch said.
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