At Watkins Glen, things seemed to be going well on track for Kyle Busch, as he looked set to bring home his best result of the NASCAR Cup Series season. However, on the physical side of it? Not so much. 

During the Go Bowling at Watkins Glen, with 38 laps left, Busch was heard talking over the radio with his No. 8 Richard Childress Racing squad. During the exchange, he requested a doctor after the race was over.

He said, "Can somebody try to find Bill Heisel? He’s the kindred doctor guy. Tell him I need him after the race, please." NBC reporter Dustin Long also reported the same on his X account and also shared some background about Heisel.

"Dr. Heisel has extensive work with teams, drivers and pit crew members. Busch did not elaborate on the radio for why he is making the request," Long wrote. 

However, a while later, the radio message was clarified during the FS1 broadcast. It was revealed that the No. 8 driver was suffering from a sinus cold all weekend and needed a shot for the same. 

Despite starting in 21st place, Kyle Busch managed to finish the race in eighth place at the 2.45-mile road course, marking his best performance this season and his best result since a Top Five at the Phoenix finale last year.

Kyle Busch pushes through to finish the race at Watkins Glen

After his radio message, fans feared that the Richard Childress Racing driver might not finish the race. However, Busch defied expectations with his season-best performance so far. It was his second Top Ten of the season and his first at Watkins Glen since 2021.

Post-race, the two-time Cup Series champion said, "Strong day for the No. 8 zone Jalapeño Lime Chevrolet team. We were a top-10 car for the majority of the race, and ended eighth here at Watkins Glen International." 

"We made the adjustments and strategy calls we needed to drive forward and make up track position after qualifying 21st, despite battling a car that trended tight throughout the race. We ran out of fuel at the end of the race, but we're still going home with our second top-10 finish of the season," the RCR driver added.

Kyle Busch finished the first stage of the race outside the top 20. But during stage two, he managed to get some much-needed points, finishing fifth. In the final stage of the race, fuel saving helped him maintain his position in the Top Ten and rise two places in the standings.

Read more at the RFK Racing Digest!

Written by

Chionia Libania Colaco

Edited by

Yask Kotak