Kyle Busch Says Emotions Aren't Keeping Him From Sprint Cup Title

Don't blame the emotions of Kyle Busch for another year that saw the No. 18 Toyota fail to win the Sprint Cup championship.

That was the message the 25-year-old relayed Friday at Phoenix International Raceway, site of Sunday's second-to-last race of the 2010 season for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series.

"Whether or not (emotions are) the cause for me not being able to contend for a championship," Busch said, "I'd have to disagree 100 percent. I won a Nationwide Series championship last year as the same person I am."

The subject is timely for Busch. He was penalized two laps by NASCAR during last week's Sprint Cup race at Texas after displaying his middle finger towards a NASCAR official while he sat in the No. 18 on pit road. At the time, Busch was serving a one-lap penalty for speeding in the pits.

In addition to the two-lap penalty imposed during the race -- Busch finished 32nd -- the driver received a $25,000 fine and was placed on NASCAR probation until Dec. 31.

"I made a mistake. I regret the mistake that I made last week," Busch said, referring the one-finger salute. "I'm going forward now -- it's not where I'm in the beginning of growing up. I'm definitely not to the end -- I'm somewhere in-between."

The resolute Busch said his demeanor has also proved to be a winning one, too. He's won twice this season.
"I'm going forward now -- it's not where I'm in the beginning of growing up. I'm definitely not to the end -- I'm somewhere in between."
-- Kyle Busch
"I think for myself, there is a fire that has helped me win the races that I've been able to win, but it's also cost me in some other times -- which was the instance last weekend which was inappropriate and childish -- what have you," Busch said.

Busch, seventh in points with just the two races remaining, said his actions didn't derail his championship aspirations this season.

"I got into David Reutimann (at Kansas) unfortunately and cost myself some points there," Busch said. "But, then the next week we blew an engine -- nothing of anybody's doing -- just unfortunate circumstances."

The blown engine ended any chance he could win the title, Busch said.

"Right then and there, our championship chances were literally kind of down the tubes," Busch said. "So, it's not where this past weekend's events at Texas is what led us not being able to win this year's championship."