Saturday Charlotte Notebook

Saturday Charlotte Notebook

Notebook Items:

·         Birth of son brings change to Kyle Busch’s life—in more ways than one

·         Biffle to make 450th start

·         Short strokes

May 23, 2015

By Reid Spencer

NASCAR Wire Service

Birth of son brings change to Kyle Busch’s life—in more ways than one

CONCORD, N.C. – The birth of a first child is often described as a life-changing experience.

For NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Kyle Busch, it has also been diaper-changing.

Brexton Locke Busch was born to Kyle and wife Samantha Busch on Monday night, and the routine of the driver of the No. 18 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota changed immediately.

“It’s a whole new world right now for sure,” acknowledged Kyle Busch, who fielded questions from reporters before Thursday night’s Coca-Cola 600 qualifying session at Charlotte Motor Speedway. “It’s an entirely different feeling. You wonder where the time goes already. I was trying to get ready this morning, and Samantha was trying to get ready – she had to take him for an appointment and some other stuff, and I’m trying to help out—and all of the sudden it’s time for me to leave to come out here to the race track and I’m like, ‘Holy smokes, I have to get ready, I have to hurry up.’

“That was different. It’s way different than what it was before he was born. Obviously, Samantha was taking care of him. She had him in her, so just taking care of him that way and carrying him around. I didn’t have to worry about anything. I didn’t have to feed him, I didn’t have to change him or nothing like that, but it’s a whole different world now that he’s here with having to take care of him, so we both have to spread our time. Obviously, when his favorite thing to do is make stinky diapers, then you’ve certainly got your work cut out for you.”

The birth of his son capped a milestone week for the driver of the No. 18 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota, who returned to competition for the first time two days earlier. Busch broke his right leg and left foot on Feb. 21 in an accident at Daytona during a NASCAR XFINITY Series race and missed the first 11 Sprint Cup points races of the season.

In his first competitive action since the wreck that sidelined him, Busch finished sixth in last Saturday’s NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race. On Sunday he’ll race for the first time in an event that counts in the standings.

But the thrill of being back on the track couldn’t compare to the feelings that surfaced when Busch witnessed the birth of his son.

“It was emotional and physically taxing on me,” Busch said. “I couldn’t imagine what Samantha was going through. Obviously, I was there and trying to help her and coach her and be with her the entire time, and she did phenomenal.

“For me, just working through that whole experience was – I can’t even really put a word on it, I guess. It was just an amazing feeling. She’s a champ – Samantha is my champion. No matter how well or how successful I ever am in my career, she’s got the championship trophy already on her mantle.”

TIME FLIES WHEN YOU’RE HAVING FUN

Greg Biffle made his NASCAR Sprint Cup Series debut in 2002 at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, California.

On Sunday at Charlotte Motor Speedway (6 p.m. ET on FOX), Biffle, 45, will race for the 450th time in NASCAR’s top series.

“It’s kind of amazing how fast the time goes by,” said Biffle, who has accumulated 19 victories in his 14-year career with Roush Fenway Racing. “I remember my 300th start; we did a deal at Martinsville a few years back. 

“It seems like it was last year or the year before, but it was 150 starts ago, and that is a long time. It amazes you how fast it goes, and I’ve got a lot of great memories, wins, close races and fun times.”

Biffle hopes the fun continues on Sunday, when he takes the green flag in the Coca-Cola 600. The driver of the No. 16 Ford would like nothing better than to break his current 68-race winless streak with a breakthrough victory at Charlotte.

Saturday’s practice results were promising. Biffle had the fifth-fastest 10-lap average in the first session and posted the fourth-quickest lap during Happy Hour.

SHORT STROKES

David Ragan was fourth fastest in Saturday’s first practice but spun off Turn 4 and slid through the infield grass during the session. Amazingly, the car sustained no serious damage from the incident…

Erik Jones took over for Kyle Busch late in Happy Hour to prepare for the possibility Busch might need a relief driver in NASCAR’s longest race on Sunday. Returning to competition after rehabilitation from injuries sustained at Daytona in February, Busch said he intends to complete all 600 miles…

Kurt Busch led both Sprint Cup practices on Saturday, running 192.644 mph, the fastest lap of the day, during the morning session when temperatures were cooler.