Kyle Busch Likes Changes to Cup Schedule for 2018

Posted on by

Kyle Busch, driver of the #18 M&M’s Red, White, & Blue Toyota, signs autographs prior to the drivers meeting for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway on May 28, 2017 in Charlotte, North Carolina Photo – Mike Comer/Getty Images

Kyle Busch says he won’t know whether—or where—he’s coming or going in 2018, because major changes to the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series schedule are bound to keep Busch and other drivers guessing.

“I can pretty much memorize the schedule where we’re at right now, so it’s definitely going to throw me for a loop next year not knowing where the hell we’re going the following week,” Busch said.

Busch will have to get used to a number of notable changes, including a road course at Charlotte for the first cutoff race in the Playoffs, Indianapolis Motor Speedway as the venue for the final race before the Playoffs and Las Vegas Motor Speedway for the first event in the ten-race postseason.

Gone from the Playoffs are Chicagoland and New Hampshire, to be replaced by Las Vegas and Richmond.

“It’s going to be interesting to see the Brickyard being the cutoff race,” Busch said. “I think that’s going to be fun… I like Richmond in the Playoffs. I think that’s a great place for us, so I’m partial to that. I think the ‘ROVAL’ (road course/oval combination) here at Charlotte is going to be interesting, and it’s going to be different.

“I’m not sure what to expect. I haven’t run it. I know AJ (Allmendinger) did. But the setup and what it’s going to take to get through the slow, small stuff that there’s not a lot of load, not a lot of downforce over here, and the short section is going to be entirely different than what you’re going to need entering turn three at 165 miles an hour, you know.

“So it’s going to be interesting to see what all people do with their setups and how you work on that and what kind of things you’ll have to give up in order to be good in the infield section.”

Needless to say, Cup teams will have a lot more on their plates next fall than they have had in recent years with a predictable playoff schedule.