NASCAR Bud Shootout 2012: Results, Reaction, Payouts and More

Kyle Busch survived a wild and fiery race to take home the 2012 Bud Shootout title.

Carl Edwards voiced his concerns before the race, saying that he wasn't sure how NASCAR could keep the event entertaining and safe at the same time. As the race progressed, it was easy to see that NASCAR didn't have any idea how do to that either.

The 2012 Shootout was incredibly entertaining from a pure racing standpoint, and if you're one of those people that just watches for crashes, you got your fair share of those as well.

The most notable was when Jeff Gordon's car flipped onto its driver side, skidded several hundred feet, then rolled down the track. Luckily, Gordon was uninjured.

Dale Earnhardt Jr., Kevin Harvick and Matt Kenseth were all crash victims as well, but Gordon's wreck took home the proverbial gold medal.

In the end, Busch used a late surge to edge Tony Stewart by 0.013 seconds, the slimmest margin of victory in Shootout history.

Twitter Reaction

Kyle Busch has his share of haters, but Mike Davis of JR Motorsports knows real skill when he sees it. 

"

"Folks, my hat is off to Kyle Thomas Busch. And yours should be too if you appreciate insane driving talent. #NASCAR"

"

The good folks at Charlotte Motor Speedway agreed with Davis.

"

"Kyle Busch edges Smoke for the win. Love him or hate him, that is quite a start to #NASCAR 2012"

"

As good as Busch was though, the story of the day was Gordon's gnarly wreck. ESPN's Marty Smith was one of many worried observers as JG's ride went tumbling.

"

"Oh my. Jeff Gordon on his lid."

"

Although the crash was definitely scary, Associated Press sports writer Chris Jenkins says that Gordon was one cool cat during the mayhem.

"

"Jeff Gordon said it felt "soft and easy" when his car rolled 3 times, thx to safety equipment: "I didn't even hardly feel any of it."

"

Payouts

Kyle Busch entered the race at 10/1 odds. So for those who threw down a Benjamin on Busch, they walked away with $1,000 in their pocket.

Stewart, who just missed out on first place, had 12/1 odds going in. Unfortunately for Smoke fans, he came up just short.