Kyle Busch won his first NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Michigan International Speedway yesterday, checking one more off his list of current tracks where he's scored a Cup victory.

At 26, Busch is a seasoned veteran, but he seems like a new man this year.  He has always been talented, but has never been a consistent performer in the Chase races.  

This year the Joe Gibbs Racing driver is leading the Sprint Cup Series point standings with only three races remaining before the Chase for the Sprint Cup begins.  In his career, Busch has won at 16 different tracks of the 23 currently on the Sprint Cup Series circuit and has tallied over 100 NASCAR wins in the top-three touring series. 

Busch is the first qualifier in the Chase for the Sprint Cup which starts Sept. 18 at Chicagoland Speedway, a track where he's already found victory lane in 2008.

The big question for Busch and his number 18 Toyota team is whether or not they can keep the momentum rolling into the Chase.  Past indicators show that Busch struggles during the stretch run. In fact, Busch has only won one Chase race, back in 2005 at Phoenix.

Five of the seven tracks Busch has yet to win at are in the Chase.  They include Charlotte, Texas, Homestead, Kansas, and Martinsville.  The only other two tracks Busch has yet to win at are Pocono and Indianapolis.  That means Busch has yet to score a win at five of the ten Chase venues.

Busch's stats at those five Chase tracks are:

Charlotte:     15 Starts, 5 Top-Fives, 8 Top-10's, 627 Laps Led

Martinsville: 13 Starts, 6 Top-Fives, 7 Top-10's, 271 Laps Led

Fort Worth:  13 Starts, 4 Top-Fives, 5 Top-10's, 441 Laps Led

Kansas:         8 Starts, 1 Top-10, 76 Laps Led

Homestead:  6 Starts, 1 Top-10, 30 Laps Lead

At the top of the list should be Charlotte Motor Speedway, considering his track record there.  Busch has been no slouch at CMS as he has dominated in the Camping World Trucks Series and Nationwide Series, winning a total of 10 times. 

He has led a total of 627 laps in Cup races and has three chances to win at CMS annually, but rowdy Busch has been denied victory at the Mecca of Motorsports each time out in a Cup car.

His next opportunity to win at admittedly one of his favorite tracks will be Oct. 15, under the lights, at the Bank of America 500.

History does not bode well for Busch as he has been inconsistent during the latter stages of the season. Busch, well known for his driving antics and trash talking attitude wants to be known for more. 

Winning the championship is what he wants more than anything and this season. Busch has shown he can handle adversity and wants his driving to do the talking now.