Kyle Petty Criticizes Kyle Busch’s NASCAR Daytona Run – ‘What in God’s Name Happened?’

The recent Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona International Speedway concluded in a dramatic fashion, with Kyle Busch missing out on a victory in an intense final lap, stirring plenty of criticism from not only fans, but also racing veteran Kyle Petty.

Historically, Daytona has proven challenging for Busch, who has claimed only one win there since his win in 2008, despite his impressive tally of 63 Cup Series victories across his career.

Busch appeared ready to take the win, leading as the race neared its climax but ultimately ceding the top spot in a nail-biting finish. Harrison Burton, helped by Parker Retzlaff who gave him a little kiss to push him up the tarmac, managed a last-moment overtake.

The block by Burton against Busch ensured Burton’s win and subsequent playoff spot—leaving Busch to settle for second place.

Petty, known for his honest commentary, did not hold back in his post-race analysis, expressing bafflement and critique towards Busch’s handling of the final moments.

“Has [Kyle Busch] forgotten how to speedway race?

“What in God’s name happened? He has control of the race on a green-white-checkered. He has the inside line, [and] he gets there with his friend Christopher Bell who is gonna help him because they were teammates at one point in time.

“They take the green flag, they take control of the race, they run on the bottom of the racetrack that first lap. Harrison Burton and Parker Retzlaff in the No. 62 car, who had the biggest influence on the outcome of the race.

“Yeah, I know he finished seventh, but he changed the complexion of this race.”

He continued:

“Kyle Busch is on the inside and who comes up on the outside? Harrison Burton with Parker right behind him, slamming him to the front. And as soon as Harrison Burton gets to the front, he pulls it down and he blocks Kyle Busch.”

Petty further suggested that Busch should revisit race footage to refine his strategies:

“Has Kyle Busch never watched Joey Logano or Brad Keselowski take control of a speedway race? Does he not know what video is? Somebody needs to send him a DVR, whatever it is. Send him some old race footage so he understands this.”

In contrast, Busch shared his frustrations with the race’s conclusion and his inability to secure a win:

“It’s just frustrating. We’ve led races here at Daytona going into the last restart and haven’t been able to pull off a victory,” explained Busch. “Not sure what it is; what I’m doing wrong or what it is that I’m missing.

“It seems like the energy broke up off of Turn 2 and the No. 20 [Bell] got crooked and wasn’t on my rear bumper the way we needed to be.

“The outside lane just went by. I wanted to get up in front of the No. 21 [Burton] because I knew the momentum was coming there. But I knew the No. 20 was a better friend. It just didn’t work out.”

Looking forward, the implications of this Daytona finish are significant for Busch as the season progresses towards the Southern 500 at Darlington. Having to win to make the postseason, which he hasn’t missed since 2012, adds a lot of pressure. His performance at Daytona, therefore, was more than a missed victory.