NASCAR Sprint Cup Richmond VA: 5th place finish not good enough for Kyle Busch

September 13, 12:41 AMKyle Busch ExaminerKathryn Lindamood

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Busch's 4 wins were not enough to make the chase (AP Photo/Wade Payne)

Winning four races before the Chase cutoff and finishing 5th in Saturday's race at Richmond wasn't enough for Kyle Busch. He just couldn't beat the odds.

Some might call it fate while others might call it karma. Busch fans are sitting in front of their television wondering where it all went wrong. Regardless how you feel about Busch it's still upsetting to see a driver who has won four races not get a chance to race for the title.

It's not like Busch isn't a championship caliber drive. He's got the records and wins to prove he's got talent. It's consistency Busch has lacked this season and in NASCAR it's consistency that's awarded not the most wins.

Hamlin celebrates win (AP Photo/Steve Helber)

Busch, who is known for his quick temper and reactions on and off the track, was relaxed when interviewed on pit road after the race. Rather than complaining about how his night ended and how unfair it was that he didn't get in the chase Busch pointed out that it wasn't just this race that put him on the outside, but a total of all the races. It's a side of Busch people aren't used to seeing and one that many find refreshing.

Busch went on to congratulate his teammate and Chevy Rock and Roll 400 winner Denny Hamlin who finally won a race at his home track. Busch also gave props to Brian Vickers and the #83 team who raced their way into their first Chase with a 7th place finish.  The difference between Busch and Vickers was only 8 points.

Vickers secured final spot (AP Photo/ Steve Helber)

Also missing from the 2009 Chase for the Championship will be Matt Kenseth who won two races at the beginning of the season. For Kenseth it's the first time in his career he's not been in the running.

Following Saturday's race the points will be reset and those in the top 12 will compete for the title. Drivers in the top 12 will be given 5000 points plus an additional 10 points for each race won.

The 2009 Chase contenders are: Mark Martin (4 wins) Tony Stewart (3 wins), Jimmie Johnson (3 wins), Denny Hamlin (2 wins), Kasey Kahne (2 wins), Jeff Gordon (1 win), Kurt Busch (1 win), Brian Vickers (1 win), Carl Edwards, Ryan Newman, Juan Pablo Montoya, and Greg Biffle.