Sliced Bread Turns Busch Into Track Toast

It wasn't supposed to end this way.

Last night's Meijer 300 was led, for more than half the laps, by Nationwide points leader Kyle Busch. Once again, it appeared that Busch's evening would end with another checkered flag, another fiery burnout and another signature bow.

But Busch's teammate and last year's race winner Joey Logano had other ideas. With the strongest car on the track, Logano raced for the lead early on. Saddled with a pit road speeding penalty (an issue for half the field last night), the new kid had to drive his car forward from way back in the line.

And by the time the field was red flagged after Mike Bliss crunched the wall, Logano was sitting in 2nd spot. That's when ESPN replayed Busch's radio chatter, specifically his spotter saying that Logano was just better than Busch.

Turns out the spotter was right.

With 10 laps to go, Logano nosed past Rowdy and never looked back. He didn't just win, he won by a mile.

Of course, before the race was over, Busch's crew chief seemed to sense his driver's lead might not last. He was quick to point out that Busch had just haloed in from Michigan and that Busch was actually treating the first half of the race like practice. Then after the race, when Busch congratulated Joey on camera, Rowdy kept to the team talking points, saying that practice times at the track clearly played into Logano's favor.

Sorry, but you can't butter your biscuit on both sides. Busch is a more experienced mega-talent in the eyes of his peers, media and fans. He shouldn't need as much practice as Logano. And I'm surprised he admitted that he does.

I guess any excuse will do when your teammate turns you into toast.