NexCup Leader Busch Out With Blown Engine in Altanta

October 31, 2004; The Associated Press reporteds that the Nextel Cup championship playoff got a major shake-up Sunday when points leader Kurt Busch went out with a blown engine early in the race at Atlanta Motor Speedway. Busch, who came into the Bass Pro Shops MBNA 500 with a 96-point lead over Jeff Gordon, had not finished lower than sixth in the first six events of the 10-race playoff.

But, coming down the backstretch on lap 52, smoke began pouring from the back of Busch's No. 97 Ford. He immediately headed straight for the garage, realizing his day was done.

"It was catastrophic," Busch said. "I had a feeling in my stomach before the race. ... It was just one of those gut feelings where you don't feel as confident as the week before. I just had it today. You can't talk to anybody about it. You just go out and race and hope it goes away."

The only driver who went out before Busch was his younger brother, Kyle, a regular in the Busch Series.

That meant Kurt Busch could finish no better than 42nd, a huge blow in a points system that rewards consistency as much as wins.

Busch had a chance to drop as low as third in the standings behind Gordon and third-place Dale Earnhardt Jr., depending on how they finished the race.

Busch didn't hang around to find out. His crippled car already was being loaded into its hauler while crews were still cleaning up oil on the track from his blown engine.

"You know something is going to bite you," he said. "It's just one little blow. It's something this team can overcome. We're not down by any means."