COLUMN: Chasing Kyle Busch is hard work

            In the long run, Kyle Busch's remarkable success will enhance the level of competition at NASCAR's top level.

            It's what always happens. Extraordinary success breeds harder work and innovation by all the drivers and teams struggling in the wake of Busch's No. 18 Toyota, which has won 37 percent of the races to date and three of the last four.

            A year ago, Hendrick Motorsports captured half the season's 36 races. This year so far, it's two out of 19. The winning percentage has dropped from .500 to .105. In 2007, Busch worked for Hendrick and won once. His successor, Dale Earnhardt Jr., has won once so far, though he is second to Busch in the point standings.

            Busch's lead over Earnhardt, 262 points, is impressive but almost irrelevant because, after seven more races, the top 12 will be grouped together. Busch's informal, but relevant, edge at this point is 50 over his closest pursuers, 60 over Earnhardt and three others, and 70 over the field.

            That's because the Chase contenders are ranked in order of victories. The base point total, which ensures that no one outside the Chase can contend, is 5,000, and 10-point bonuses are awarded for victories. Busch has seven. Carl Edwards has three, but one of them was accompanied by a penalty that negated the bonus points. Kasey Kahne has two wins, so if the Chase were beginning now, Busch would have 5,070 points;  Edwards and Kahne, 5,020 each; Earnhardt, Jeff Burton, reigning champion Jimmie Johnson and Denny Hamlin, 5,010 each; and the remainder would have an even 5,000.

            What the Chase means is that 12 drivers presently separated by 598 points would go into the final 10 races - beginning on Sept. 14 in New Hampshire - separated by 70. Those 12 could, of course, change between now and Sept. 14.

            Given recent results, Busch's chances of improving his edge between now and then seem likely.

            Complaining should bring no results. There's no evidence Busch has an unfair advantage of any kind. Claims of alleged Toyota superiority sound pretty hollow when one considers that Busch has seven of Toyota's eight wins, and his teammate, Hamlin, has the other. The acquisition of Joe Gibbs Racing accounts for most of the difference in Toyota's performance, though one other Toyota driver, Team Red Bull's Brian Vickers, has a legitimate shot at making the Chase.

            Claims of Busch superiority have a nice, clear ring, though.

            The only principal difference in Joe Gibbs Racing's No. 18 team this year is the driver. The former driver, J.J. Yeley, is now at Hall of Fame Racing, where he ranks 36^th in points. Yeley finished 21^st last year. His crew chief, Steve Addington, now heads up Busch's team.

            It's also true, of course, that Johnson, Jeff Gordon, Tony Stewart, Earnhardt, Edwards, Kahne, Burton and all the other usual contenders haven't forgotten how to drive.

            There's a level at which all the others are at least mildly embarrassed by Busch's obvious edge. He has earned their respect but not their concessions. More obvious than the embarrassment are the gritted teeth and clenched fists.

            Busch has chased everyone back to the proverbial drawing boards, and someone is bound to find something there.

            You can reach Monte Dutton at mdutton@gastongazette.com.