Friday, December 2, 2016

2016 NASCAR Driver Spotlight Review: Kyle Busch

Kyle Busch 2016 Review

Image result for kyle busch 2016 win

By Richard Tix

2016 Preview Article

Season Grade: A-

Season Preview: "I think Busch will be one of the better drivers statistically of 2016, but will come up just short of making the final four again. I expect 3-4 wins, 15-17 top 5's, and 21-23 top 10's in 2016." 

Season Review: 3-4 wins. Check, he had four. 15-17 top 5's. Check, he had 17. 21-23 top 10's. Check, or close enough, he had 25 top 10's. For the most part, I was right on with Kyle Busch and his 2016 season. He was one of the best statistical drivers in wins, top 5's, top 10's, and average finish. All in all the 2016 season went almost perfect minus just missing a second Championship. Which is ironic because last season didn't start as planned and could have been better overall, yet he won the Championship.

Even though he didn't win back to back Championships his hot run during the 2016 season helped prove 2015 wasn't a complete fluke just because he missed eleven races. I know it spanned two season's, but Kyle and Toyta brought it again in 2016 and gave all of the TRD teams a shot to win a title.

His last 61 races (25 last season and 36 this year) he has produced nine wins, 29 top 5's, and 41 top 10's. During that stretch he won a race 14.75% of the time. So while I get it when fans complain about him winning a Championship in a short season I also don't get how you can not see he has been one of the fastest drivers of the last 61 races.

At the end of the day Rowdy didn't win back to back but still had a fantastic season and showed fan's that he won't be going away anytime soon. The 2016 season was a hint at the fact he will be a Championship contender for awhile at the Cup level whether fans like it or not.

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