During the NASCAR Cup Series race at the Charlotte ROVAL, a dramatic collision involving Kyle Busch became the focal point after he spun Riley Herbst, generating widespread criticism and heated reactions from both teams and fans. The Kyle Busch Charlotte ROVAL incident occurred late in the event on Sunday, drawing immediate attention due to its timing and the impact on both drivers’ standings.
Riley Herbst’s Team Voices Outrage After Late-Race Contact
The aftermath of the late-race contact was marked by a viral team radio message from Riley Herbst’s No. 35 crew, who expressed their anger right after Busch, who was eight laps behind the leaders, made contact with Herbst and caused his car to spin. NASCAR journalist Jordan Bianchi shared the explosive moment on social media, amplifying the voices of the No. 35 team as they called for disciplinary action.
Herbst’s crew, frustrated by the loss of a good finish, harshly criticized Busch’s decision to continue racing aggressively despite being well behind. Emphasizing their discontent, they told NASCAR that Busch should retire and believed his approach was unnecessary, especially given his race position.
“Maybe (Kyle Busch) should retire” – No. 35 Team via Jordan Bianchi
Kyle Busch’s Day Unravels Early at Charlotte ROVAL
Kyle Busch’s struggles began almost immediately after the green flag dropped. Starting from 28th on the grid, Busch faced trouble on the opening lap when he spun in Turn 1 and sustained damage to the right side of his No. 8 Chevrolet. Despite extensive repairs, he found himself eight laps down by the time he rejoined the race, drastically reducing his chances for a competitive result.
Frustrated by the turn of events, Busch vented his disappointment over the radio, blaming Carson Hocevar for his initial crash.
“We’re junked. The 77 wrecked us,”
as reported by Kelly Crandall of RACER/ESPN.
As the race progressed into Stage 3, the consequences of Busch’s opening-lap troubles carried over, culminating in his clash with Riley Herbst. This incident not only dashed Herbst’s hopes but further intensified scrutiny of Busch’s race conduct, particularly since the move came from a driver so far off the lead lap.
Kyle Busch Had Warned of ROVAL’s Chaotic Nature Ahead of Race
Before the green flag, Kyle Busch offered a candid assessment of what he expected at the Charlotte ROVAL, forecasting chaos, aggressive racing, and possible retaliation as playoff positions were on the line. Speaking openly to reporters before the event, Busch acknowledged that the unique layout and playoff pressure would spark intense battles.
“I think you expect more contact, more chaos, and more desperation moves at times,”
Busch said (via Speedway Media).
“I also think there are some payback opportunities where guys will dump guys if they know they’re in a make it or break it situation and they’re on the bubble. That is always kind of on the table as well at the ROVAL. It would be nice to just stay out of that.”
– Kyle Busch, NASCAR Driver
Ironically, Busch’s own warnings became self-fulfilling when he found himself at the center of the day’s most controversial incident. Addressing the intricacies of racing at the ROVAL, Busch emphasized the importance of caution and maintaining momentum, suggesting that careful navigation is crucial to success in the event’s challenging conditions.
“The key to running well at the ROVAL is just staying out of trouble and trying to keep your momentum rolling all the way around the racetrack,”
Busch added.
“There are some big braking zones where you can really attack and get a lot of slowing down done in a quick period of time but the infield section has such little grip and is so bumpy that you’re just trying to control the slip and not go too fast and crash. It’s about tiptoeing as much as you can with carrying the right amount of roll speed.”
– Kyle Busch, NASCAR Driver
Consequences and Future Implications for NASCAR and Drivers
Kyle Busch, a veteran with multiple top-five finishes in his recent Charlotte ROVAL starts, entered the 2025 Bank of America Roval 400 hoping to leverage his experience for another strong result. Instead, the incident with Riley Herbst cast a shadow on his performance and renewed discussions about driver conduct, especially when laps down.
The reaction from the No. 35 team reflects a broader debate within NASCAR circles about sportsmanship, risk-taking, and the balance between aggressive racing versus respect for competitors’ positions. As the playoffs intensify and tempers run high, similar controversies are likely to emerge, placing further scrutiny on both race officials and participant behavior.
Key figures in motorsport, including well-known journalists like Kelly Crandall and Jordan Bianchi, continue to monitor such incidents closely, ensuring the sport maintains accountability and fair play. With the Kyle Busch Charlotte ROVAL incident now in the spotlight, teams and officials must consider what adjustments, if any, are needed to preserve competitive integrity as the series heads deeper into its playoff schedule.
Kyle Busch went into Turn 1 and was hit from behind and sent into the wall. 8 car radio, "We're junked. The 77 wrecked us."
— Kelly Crandall (@KellyCrandall) October 5, 2025
