Busch and Gibbs team hope for breakthrough

Larson on pole with qualifying rained out

BRISTOL, TENN. >> Joe Gibbs Racing had three victories at this point last season, including back-to-back wins by Kyle Busch. Then Carl Edwards reeled off consecutive victories and the organization was easily the best in NASCAR.

Now? The team is winless through the first seven races of the season and looking to break the drought at Bristol Motor Speedway.

“I would have to say that obviously we’re not as strong this year out of the gate,” Busch said Friday. “I feel as though we’re competitive and we’re close, but we’re not there. I don’t think there’s any reason for cause for concern yet.”

The speed chart Friday indicated JGR may be on the right track.

Toyota drivers took five of the first six spots in practice, three from JGR and two from sister team Furniture Row Racing. Denny Hamlin and Busch had the best 10 consecutive lap averages, the true indicator of who has the strongest cars.

It was an important showing because the weather forecast for Bristol this weekend calls for rain and no one is certain when the cars will next be on track. So most of the field treated Friday as if it was their only time to prepare for Sunday’s race.

Busch is a five-time winner at Bristol, but hasn’t been to victory lane in his Cup car since 2011. He thinks the drop-off is a combination of changing track conditions, team issues or unexpected failures.

“A couple other runs that we’ve had here we’ve been OK, maybe third or fourth, and I try something and I lose the nose,” he said. “It’s BRISTOL, TENN. >> Kyle Larson will start on the pole on points because rain washed out qualifying at Bristol Motor Speedway.

Larson won at Fontana from the pole in the No. 42 Chevrolet and started first a week later at Martinsville. He has five toptwo finishes in just seven NASCAR races this season.

Chase Elliott joins Larson on the front row of Sunday’s race. Martin Truex Jr., Brad Keselowski and Joey Logano round out the top five.

just been frustrating the last few times of coming here and not really having the speed in order to run up in the lead and lead a lot of laps like I used to . ... We were pretty dominant force and that’s kind of gone away and it would be nice to get those days back in the 18 camp.”

He’ll certainly have competition. He listed Larson, Elliott, and Team Penske teammates Brad Keselowski and Joey Logano as the biggest threats, but noted that he goes into the race certain he will be the victor.

“There are a few races track I go to where I would say there’s nothing acceptable except winning,” he said. “Bristol, this is one of my best wheelhouses and I really enjoy coming here. There’s also going to be the Kyle Larsons that come to Bristol and nothing is going to be acceptable except winning for them, too.”