Which cost Kyle Busch a chance for the Chase? Overextension or fierce competition

September 16, 3:05 AMKyle Busch ExaminerKathryn Lindamood

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2009 Chase contenders pose for the camera (AP Photo/ Jason Hirshfeld)

You'd be hard pressed to find any driver in the NASCAR garage with as many accomplishments under their belt as Kyle Busch. At just 24 years old Busch has been competing in one NASCAR series or another for eight years.

Yes, eight years ago he got his first ride with Jack Roush in the Truck Series. Unfortunately, rule changes imposed at the end of the season required Busch to sit out until he turned 18.

In 2009 Busch was given the opportunity by Joe Gibbs Racing to compete full time in both the Sprint Cup and Nationwide Series. In addition Busch returned to his Truck Series team for a partial season behind the wheel of the 51.

Considering the outcome of Busch's 2009 Chase hopes many are questioning his choice to keep such a busy schedule. Busch himself has admitted to having a hectic schedule and that it doesn't always allow for time with his crew chief Steve Addington. Still, Busch remains committed to his Nationwide and Truck Series teams.

Did Busch really overextend himself this season or was the competition just more intense?

Before the points were reset in 2008:

• Busch had a 207 point advantage over second place Carl Edwards
• The points deficit between 1st place Kyle Busch and 12th place Clint Bowyer was 762.
• Busch had 8 wins and an average finish of 10.85 in the first 26 races
• The top 12 drivers had 22 wins between them although Gordon, Stewart, Biffle and Harvick had no wins.

Before the points were reset in 2009:

• Tony Stewart had a 179 point advantage over 2nd place Jeff Gordon.
• The deficit between 1st and 12th was only 603 points
• Busch had 4 wins and an average finish of 16 in the first 26 races
• Top 12 had 17 wins between them with Edwards, Newman, Montoya, and Biffle having none.

It can be argued both ways. Busch is a fierce competitor who may have spread himself too thin for 2009. Perhaps this is why he has chosen not to run full time in the Nationwide Series in 2010. People are quick to jump to the conclusion that running in multiple series has caused the downward decline in his average finish, but that might not be the case. What you've got to remember is that Busch isn't the only driver who has has seen a downward decline. Look at Carl Edwards. He's the only other driver running both Series and even his Sprint Cup efforts have been lacking compared to last season.

More than likely it's not his schedule, but the improvement made by so many teams from 08 to 09, Last season Montoya, Kurt Busch, and Brain Vickers where nowhere near as competitive as they have been this year.  It's not as if Busch isn't a competitive driver. He expects perfection from himself and his team, but sometimes things don't work out as planned.

Whether you call it overextension or better competition don't count Busch out during the last 10 races. He's got nothing to lose and lots to prove, not only to himself but his fans as well.

Share you opinion:  What do you think? Overextension or better competition?