Two-time NASCAR Cup champion Kyle Busch has never been one to mince words, and his latest comments about the newly reconfigured Charlotte Roval are no exception. As the NASCAR Cup Series heads into the Round of 12 Cutoff race, Busch has made it clear that the track changes, including a reworked turn 6-7 and the addition of turtle curbing, have made the course a headache—literally.
Busch isn’t alone in his criticism. 2017 Cup champion Martin Truex Jr. also lambasted the changes, likening the experience to getting a “concussion every lap.” Busch, in his typical outspoken manner, backed up Truex’s sentiments with bold agreement.
“It’s not overblowing it. It’s 1000% correct. I don’t know when I’ll see the data, probably not until Monday but it fuc… my head hurts,” Busch said, clearly frustrated with the toll the curbs have taken on drivers.
The root of Busch’s frustration comes from the severe impact drivers are experiencing as they hit the new turtle curbing at high speeds. While some drivers are accustomed to handling such curbing at tracks like Watkins Glen, Busch argued that the hits at the Roval are sharper and more violent, making the experience more physically taxing.
“It’s more violent here. At Watkins Glen, it’s more of a continuous, mild hit. But here, it’s just one big, sharp hit, and it’s worse,” Busch explained, comparing the infamous bus stop at Watkins Glen to the newly configured chicane at the Roval.
Beyond the physical discomfort, Busch also questioned the logic behind the changes, especially to the frontstretch chicane. The veteran driver pointed out that narrowing and slowing down the section will likely lead to unnecessary chaos, especially in an already unpredictable race like the Roval.
“I don’t understand the reasoning behind making it tighter. Just to make us slower through there? It doesn’t make sense,” Busch added, criticizing NASCAR’s decision to alter a section of the track that, in his opinion, was perfectly fine before.
Busch’s remarks highlight growing concerns among drivers about the safety and practicality of these changes, as many expect the adjustments will only increase the chaos on race day. With his blunt commentary and concerns about the physical toll the track will take on drivers, Busch is bracing for what could be one of the most challenging races of the season.
It remains to be seen how the veteran will fare on Sunday, but one thing is clear: Kyle Busch is not happy with the Roval’s new layout, and he’s expecting a bumpy ride.
