After The Checkered Flag

2022 NASCAR CUP SERIES YEARBOOK = PERFECT HOLIDAY GIFT: This 200-plus page yearbook is 40% off for 10 days only. Go to https://fanmag.com/atcf and use code ATCF40 at checkout. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Kyle Busch was the dominant car on Sunday at Darlington, leading a race-high 155 laps. He was in front after a late pit stop but any hopes of victory literally went up in smoke when the engine in the No. 18 car failed and sent him to the garage. After the race, a somber Busch talked about the misfortune and interestingly brought up his team's perseverance and dealing with all of his contract drama this season. The two-time Cup Series champion never specifically addressed the potential source of his engine trouble. That came later from JGR teammate Denny Hamlin, who visited with SiriusXM NASCAR Radio and exposed Busch's embarrassing and costly mistake that prematurely ended his first race of the playoffs. And if there's any driver that knows about that type of blunder, it's Hamlin. Video Credits: NASCAR NASCAR.com Fox Sports NBC Sports Audio Credits: SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Photo Credits: Getty Images

Kevin Harvick has been in the headlines a lot in the last month after winning a couple of races at Michigan and Richmond. But that's not the only reason the 2014 Cup Series champion has been in the news. He's also recently been outspoken about the safety of the Next Gen car with drivers taking "bigger" hits, including Kurt Busch getting sidelined for weeks due to a concussion. On Sunday at Darlington, after his race ended when his car shockingly caught on fire for no apparent reason, the 46-year-old driver gave a controlled interview for the television broadcast. Moments later with reporters, he didn't hold back, ripping NASCAR for not caring about the drivers and blatantly calling them out for their incompetence. Later that night, his crew chief Rodney Childers provided receipts. Video Credits: NASCAR NASCAR.com Fox Sports NBC Sports Front Stretch AB Dynamics Photo Credits: Getty Images

Ross Chastain has had a breakout season in 2022, earning his first two career Cup Series wins at Circuit of the Americas and Talladega. It's certainly been a season to remember, but not just for his winning achievements. The watermelon farmer's aggressive driving style, which has been integral to his rise through the ranks, might have helped him win races, but it hasn't won him any friends. More than a few drivers in the Cup garage have had run-ins with Chastain this year and "owe" him, including Denny Hamlin and Kyle Busch. Interestingly, it was just a week ago at Daytona that the two-time champion warned the Trackhouse Racing driver of looming threats to his success in the postseason. This week, reigning champion Kyle Larson bluntly confirmed it. Video Credits: NASCAR NASCAR.com Fox Sports NBC Sports Audio Credits: SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Photo Credits: Getty Images