Following a tumultuous offseason featuring allegations of physical abuse against ex-girlfriend Patricia Driscoll, Busch began the year suspended. He gained reinstatement after missing three races and nearly won his first two races back before reaching Victory Lane in April at Richmond and June at Michigan.
Rekindling the dominance it had when Busch returned -- he led laps in eight consecutive races -- the No. 41 team maintains a consistent presence near the front of the field and earns a third win. And though Busch is gone in Round 3, it's only by the slimmest of margins.
Having cooled down some since the spring, Busch encounters various setbacks and cannot find the consistency needed to skirt elimination resulting in a second straight first round removal.
While capable of popping off a win anywhere, Busch fails to do so, which prevents advancement to the championship bracket.