Much of Kyle Busch’s career has been as sweet as the M&Ms he hawked for 15 years driving at Joe Gibbs Racing, a stint that included Cup Series titles in 2015 and ’19.

But it isn’t aging as well of late as the spirit named for him by Rebel Bourbon, the sponsor of the No. 8 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet he’ll drive in the Cook Out 400 on Saturday at Richmond Raceway (7:30 p.m. on the USA Network).

Richmond’s been good to him, though, so it’s reasonable for him to think that is where he can break his 80-race winless streak, a lifetime for a guy who won at least once a Cup-record 19 consecutive seasons (2005-23). If he doesn’t perform his celebratory bow following a victory this week or next, he’ll bow out of playoff contention in consecutive seasons for the first time in his career.

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