Successful Busch will end up on top

So far this season, Kyle Busch has not failed me.

When many in the media scoffed at the suggestion a Toyota team could win a Sprint Cup Series championship in 2008, I begged to differ. Joe Gibbs Racing may be new to Toyota but it is still one of the most successful Cup organizations and filled with top-quality personnel from top to bottom.

My only concern entering the season was whether the JGR organization would adapt well changing to Toyota engines, but I felt their experience would outweigh the potential disadvantages.

Busch had a very impressive season in 2007, his last with Hendrick Motorsports. He ran well in the Chase even when the team knew he would not be its driver the next season. His brash, hard-charging style I felt would be a good match with a top- quality organization like JGR.

It didn't take long in the season for Busch to realize his potential. Week after week since his first victory in March at Atlanta, he's backed up his performances.

He's won at big tracks, road courses and restrictor-plate tracks. The only type he hasn't won on is a short track, but he does own a pair of second-place finishes at Richmond and Bristol. When hit with criticism from former Hendrick teammates Jimmie Johnson and Jeff Gordon, he's responded with more wins.

So far this season, in fact, the only person who has slowed down Kyle Busch is Kyle Busch.

Yes, Johnson is coming on strong and, yes, Carl Edwards is not far behind as the Chase for the Sprint Cup gets underway this weekend at New Hampshire.

In the end, after the season finale at Homestead, Fla., is over, you will find Busch and his No. 18 team at the top. A large chorus of boos is likely to surround him, but at that point, I don't think he much will care.