By green Austin
Special for FOX Sports
LOS ANGELES — Kyle Busch finished in the top three at Clash at the Coliseum for the second year in a row – but did so with a new team, making his debut for Richard Childress Racing after signing with the team last September. The move was unexpected as Childress, the team’s owner and name, Busch gets punched infamous during a brawl in 2011.
The two of them made it clear when Busch was introduced as an RCR member in September that they let the past be the past. After Sunday’s race, Busch appreciated his cooperation with his new teammate Austin DillonMy grandson.
“Austin and I worked hard today to work together [and sharing] all the information to put us in the best possible position,” Busch said. “Good cooperation between the RCR team.”
Dillon and Busch finished second and third in the 2023 version of Clash, respectively, swapping places compared to last year’s finish. Martin Truex Jr.from Busch’s former team at Joe Gibbs Racing, won the race.
FINALS: Martin Truex Jr. Win Busch Light Clash at Colosseum
“In the end, Kyle helped me there,” Dillon said. “He knew we had a fast car so he let me try and shoot Martin. That was great, so hopefully I can repay the favor when we get to Daytona. We work together a lot. It’s a great start for all of us.”
Despite Dillon’s supporting role in the 2011 incident between Childress and Busch – Childress gave his watch to his nephew before bringing Busch to a standstill and punching him – Dillon played a role important in recruiting Busch for RCR during the season. Busch and Dillon both believe the partnership will continue to grow as the 2023 NASCAR season unfolds.
“We worked well together this whole weekend off the track, on the track and had a chance to take care of each other during those few restarts,” Busch said. “It’s just a good omen for great teamwork and good sportsmanship on both of us, so let’s keep that up.”
‘Tonight is to persevere and not give up’ – Martin Truex Jr.
Dillon expected as much, saying he noticed similarities between himself and Busch while observing Busch from afar for many years.
“The way he approached setting up a car and everything, I think we were actually pretty close,” Dillon said. “So it’s great to be able to hopefully solve that, and we’ll only be able to build on that as we go and find places where, when we’re running well, I need to establish where- wise compared to him to repeat that.”
Busch spoke of the experience when the team owner spoke to him through his headset during the race, which had never happened at Joe Gibbs Racing (“I think they disconnected). [Gibbs’] a long time ago,” Busch joked) and believes he was right not to retaliate as soon as the Clash 2022 winner Joey Logano turn him out on 86’s lap.
Busch Light Clash Highlights at Colosseum 2023
“Richard, I know he tends to emphasize a bit here,” says Busch. “That’s fine. He was on the radio and he said, ‘[Logano] just drove past you,’ and I said, ‘Well, what do you want me to do with it?’ Believe me, I start behind [Logano] a few times on reboot and never really had a great chance. I may have, but it’s more important to move forward than retaliate.”
Busch has vowed to take revenge on Logano, saying he owes Team member Penske “a little”. But Dillon knows what Busch’s main priority will be for upcoming races — and possible future versions of Clash at the Colosseum.
“I think we both want to be in the same position,” Dillon said. “That’s what I learned from Kyle in a short amount of time. We have to win, so that’s the main objective.”
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