Earnhardt Jr. takes Kyle Busch out of race

Kyle Busch crashed early in Sunday’s race at Kansas Speedway after Dale Earnhardt Jr. hit him from behind. Busch, who was fourth in the Chase standings going into the LifeLock 400, said he tried to let Earnhardt Jr. pass when the contact was made fewer than 30 laps into the race.

“I just left him a lane to try to let him go on the outside, because I knew he was going to have a run off the corner," Busch said. “And I got run into the back of, and got spun down the back straightaway for absolutely no reason. It was a pretty stupid move on his part."

“I am sure these guys aren’t very appreciative that the guy who is going to be racing for them next year just dumped their car that has a great shot for the championship, where he doesn’t," Busch said.

Earnhardt Jr. acknowledged his responsibility for the wreck.

“He just moved up and I got into him," the driver said. “I should have been able to get out of his car, and I was screaming as I was going by for him to save it, but he couldn’t gather it up. It was my fault."