Kansas: Kyle Busch post-race interview

KYLE BUSCH, No. 18 NOS Energy Drink Toyota Camry, Joe Gibbs Racing
Finished: 3rd

How was your run?

"We had a lot going on. We were all over the place there from the middle stages of the race being really loose, but we made a lot of changes to get the car back to where I could drive it again and where it was controlled and I could get into the corner with it. Just unfortunate there at the end to not be able to pull out a win. Just really, really tight on the last couple restarts. I just couldn't get the thing to turn on the exit of the corners like I had been doing when I was by myself. Just didn't quite have enough for those guys. Knew that going into the race and thought we had a shot to beat them, but with the cautions there late Joey (Logano) is always really good -- especially here and with the flat tracks like Kentucky -- at being able to get going."

What happened on the final lap of the race?

"I just didn't quite have enough. Just way, way too tight there on the last couple restarts, but all in all a good day. I'll take it and have a good points day and go on into the next one."

Did you figure out what was going on with your race car when you fell back in the pack?

"It was really, really loose. Obviously, I spun out just trying to get the lead or whatever. All in all it was a really loose car there and being back in dirty air was difficult and just trying to make it through there and get back up towards the front and fortunately we did."

Did you think you had a race-winning car today?

"I knew we didn't have a race car going into the day, but we made a valiant effort. Jason (Ratcliff, crew chief) and the guys did a good job getting it back. We got so loose there in the middle part of the race and obviously proved that pretty well by spinning myself out, but we made it back and had a valiant effort and a good solid points day for the NOS Energy Drink Camry. Just knew we didn't have a winning car going in, but thought we had a shot at it there and just way too tight on the last couple of restarts. It reminds me a lot of last year."

Why did you decide to start on the outside on the second to last restart?

"It was my call. It worked out earlier in the day. I had three restarts with Joey (Logano) and was on his outside and it worked every time. It was just at that restart that Joey forced me a little bit high getting into (turn) one and I got marbles on my tires. The thing wouldn't turn on the entry to one. And then I drove across the middle of the turn and kind of got to his right-rear corner and he just kept sliding up the track and not worrying about what was outside of him or my run that I had coming on the outside. I just had to lift and gather it back up and get back inline."

Did you think you could beat Joey Logano on the final restart?

"When Brad (Keselowski) pushed him on that final restart there was nothing I could do. I knew pretty much that I was racing him (Brad Keselowski). I was just going to try to clear Brad and when I got through the center of one and two I got him cleared and I was like, 'Alright, maybe I'll have a shot and I can get to the top of Joey (Logano) in turn three or turn four.' But, I went to the outside and the car was just so tight, it wouldn't turn. I couldn't make up any speed up there and Joey was really fast in turning around the bottom. Nothing to be gained."

-source: toyota motorsports