Advertisement

Kyle Busch back on track for NASCAR All-Star Race

 
Published May 16, 2015

CONCORD, N.C. — Walking gingerly, his mood upbeat, Kyle Busch climbed back into his race car for the first time in almost three months.

He quickly settled into the No. 18 Toyota, got used to his new seat, and ripped the fastest lap in Friday's practice session for tonight's All-Star Race at Charlotte Motor Speedway.

Make no mistake, Rowdy has officially returned.

"I didn't sleep all that great last night and I was wondering why — I wasn't sure if my body was just thinking I would miss an alarm," Busch said Friday.

Busch broke his right leg and left foot when he crashed into a concrete wall during the Feb. 21 Xfinity series race at Daytona. He missed the Daytona 500 the day after the accident and 10 other races, but had his eye on returning for tonight's $1 million All-Star race during his recovery.

The date seemed optimistic to his doctors. But he was determined, even as he admitted that he briefly considered trying to get back for races at Talladega or Kansas before giving himself two more weeks to heal.

"Charlotte looked really good and it seems, so far, to be a good choice to come back for here," he said. "I think it was kind of always a goal, and whether or not I could meet that goal was just how hard we worked and pushed and tried to get ready for this day."

Though the All-Star race doesn't count toward Sprint Cup points, Busch will use the weekend as a warmup for the May 24 Coca-Cola 600, NASCAR's longest race.

Busch also was granted a waiver to participate in the Chase for the Championship should he qualify. He likely will need to crack the top 30 in points and win a race.

"It gives us a legitimate chance to try to qualify for the Chase and to be able to race for a championship. That's all you can ask for," he said. "I'm ready to tackle the challenge."

His return was welcomed by fellow competitors, who didn't seem to object to him receiving the waiver.

"I know as much as he enjoys racing and as good of a race car driver as he is, it had to be really tough on him," Kasey Kahne said. "I'm glad he's back. As soon as I heard he was coming back, I was texting him like 'Man, it's great to hear. I'm excited for you.'

"He's a big part of the Sprint Cup series. There are so many fans that enjoy watching him and I know racing with him and just seeing him out on the racetrack, it's better when he's there. I'm glad that he's back out here."

As Busch began his first practice, his wife, Samantha, tweeted how emotional the moment was for the couple. She's pregnant with their first child, a boy due next week.

Biffle, Bowyer, Patrick in field: Greg Biffle and Clint Bowyer raced their way into the All-Star race and Danica Patrick won the fan vote to complete tonight's field.

Biffle won the first 20-lap segment in Friday's Sprint Showdown at Charlotte. The race was for all drivers not already qualified for the All-Star Race.

Stay updated on Tampa Bay’s sports scene

Stay updated on Tampa Bay’s sports scene

Subscribe to our free Sports Today newsletter

We’ll send you news and analysis on the Bucs, Lightning, Rays and Florida’s college football teams every day.

You’re all signed up!

Want more of our free, weekly newsletters in your inbox? Let’s get started.

Explore all your options

"I've never been so excited to win half a race in my life," Biffle said.

He then took his car to the garage and watched the final 20-lap segment, won by Bowyer, who needed a three-wide pass to get to the lead.

Once Bowyer was out in front, though, no one could catch him as the clean air for the leader proved too much for any challenger to overcome.

Patrick won the fan vote for the second time in three years. She was upset in 2014 by Josh Wise, who was backed by a social media push on Reddit.

"I am super lucky and fortunate I have such great fans," said Patrick, who was ninth in the Showdown.