It’s not just that Kyle Busch is returning to NASCAR competition after missing the first 11 races of the year, following a frightening accident at Daytona that resulted in a compound fracture in his leg and a broken foot. It’s that he’s returning and he’s really dang fast.
In his first practice back in the No. 18 car, soon-to-be dad Busch (a son is due within days) posted the fastest practice lap during a 90-minute session Friday at Charlotte Motor Speedway, 188.884 mph. But that was practice, and three drivers posted fastest speeds in qualifying for the Sprint Showdown later in the day, including Paul Mendard’s 189.673 mph pole-winning speed and Greg Biffle’s 189.960 in an earlier qualifying heat.
Can Busch top Biffle, who raced his way into the All-Star Race, as well as 18 more of the sport’s top drivers when the qualifying session begins at 7:10 p.m. Saturday night? That remains to be seen. It’s not all on Busch, either. Qualifying requires a strong performance from the pit crew, too, as it is comprised of three timed laps and one four-tire pit stop. The total time, rather than one-lap speed, will determine the starting grid.
Others who could give Busch competition for the All-Star Race pole include 2014 race winner Jamie McMurray, who posted a 188.386 mph speed in practice Friday, reigning Sprint Cup champ Kevin Harvick (188.258 mph), or even Kyle’s owner brother, Kurt Busch (188.121).
It’s not just qualifying that has different rules this weekend. The race itself includes four 25-lap segments, with the average finishing position determining the running order before a mandatory yellow-flag, four-time stop. The order cars return to the track is the order they’ll begin a final 10-lap sprint to the finish — a finish that includes a $1 million payday for the winner. That might help Kyle pick up more than a few new things for the baby.
Both qualifying and the All-Star Race can be seen on Fox Sports 1. Race coverage begins at 8:30 p.m. with the green flag set to fly at 9:16 p.m.
All-Star Race qualifying coverage:
Time: 7 p.m. ET, Saturday
TV: Fox Sports 1
Drivers:
AJ Allmendinger
Aric Almirola
Greg Biffle
Clint Bowyer
Kurt Busch
Kyle Busch
Dale Earnhardt Jr.
Carl Edwards
Jeff Gordon
Denny Hamlin
Kevin Harvick
Jimmie Johnson
Kasey Kahne
Matt Kenseth
Brad Keselowski
Joey Logano
Danica Patrick
Jamie McMurray
Ryan Newman
Tony Stewart
