CONCORD, N.C — A 600-mile race didn't seem to be the best fit for Kyle Busch's return after breaking his leg in February, but the No. 18 driver couldn't wait any longer if there was any hope of him making the Chase.
Each race Busch sat out was another week he was falling further from NASCAR's playoffs. But Sunday night in the Coca-Cola 600, Busch took his first steps in making the Chase with an 11th-place finish after missing the first 11 races of the season.
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"We raced up toward the front. We battled side-by-side, door-to-door with guys for a little while." Busch said. "Felt good. I feel good, and I admit I've probably got a little left foot soreness, but other than that, everything is pretty hunky‑dory.”
While NASCAR has allowed Busch to be eligible for the Chase, they did not waive the rule that a driver must capture a race win and be in the top 30 in points to earn a spot. The 16-driver field will be set after the Sept. 12 race in Richmond, Va.
Currently, Busch is 169 points behind 30th-place Tony Stewart, meaning he will have to get a win and average 16th place or higher each week, depending on laps led and the three bonus points for wins if he is to make the Chase.
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"To get out there and have a strong run means a lot," Busch said. "I can't say enough about everyone at Joe Gibbs Racing, everyone pulling for me and cheering for me and helping me get back into this race car."
Busch will be back in action nex Sunday for the FedEx 400 Benefiting Autism Speaks from Dover International Speedway, a track he has two Sprint Cup victories at in his career.