Kyle Busch gives emotional reaction to disappointing finish at Kansas Speedway: ‘I’m numb’

Kyle Busch was in control of Sunday’s Round of 12 opener at Kansas, leading the field with 32 laps remaining in the race.

But on Lap 235 in Stage 3, Busch went for a spin, ending his chances of snapping his now 52-race winless streak. Speaking with NBC Sports after the race, Busch explained what led to the spin.

“Running 10 10s trying to make up speed and cover the 1 car and make sure I could stay ahead of him,” Busch said. “The 14 [Chase Briscoe] turned down the hill in order to get clean air from the guy in front of him. And so, I went to his outside and plugged a hole. I just — air. For some reason, felt nothing off the corner and hadn’t really had that like that the whole time. There’s a term for that I wanna say right now but I can’t.

“Busting my butt and I hate it for my guys and everyone at RCR. They deserved to get the win today. We hung underneath the 1 car [Ross Chastain] there for 15 laps trying to pass him. Finally passed him and could get away from him a little bit and catch a lap car. We’d get backed up a little bit and the gap just kind of kept doing that. I guess I just got in too big a hurry.”

Kyle Busch falls short at Kansas after Stage 3 spin

At the time of the spin, Busch was doing everything possible to fend off Chastain. He went high entering Turn 2 attempting to pass Briscoe, who was looking to stay on the lead lap at the time. Briscoe didn’t give him much room to execute the pass and Busch got loose.

Busch rallied to secure a 19th-place finish, but obviously, it’s not the result he wanted. Following a close call at Darlington and several others this season, Busch is left wondering what he needs to do to keep his 19-year streak of winning at least one Cup Series race alive.

“It just did [slip away],” Busch said. “I’m numb. I don’t know what to do.”