Kyle Busch’s return to Daytona has been a bumpy ride

DAYTONA BEACH — Kyle Busch actually looked forward to returning to the Daytona International Speedway and “attacking that demon per se.”

There’s no per se about it.

Busch knows the monster he’s up against, but it quickly reminded him anyway.

He was involved in a crash just nine minutes into an opening practice session this week and must drive his back-up car in the Coke Zero 400 on Sunday night.

“It didn’t take long for things to turn bad,” Busch said.

It was his first time back on the speedway after this devil of a track broke his spirit and battered his body a day before the Daytona 500.

He broke his right leg and fractured his left foot when his car slammed into an inside wall during the Xfinity Series race Feb. 21, a wreck that re-initiated safety upgrades at Daytona and at tracks throughout NASCAR.

After extensive rehabilitation, Busch raced again in mid-May and then won at Sonoma — just five races into his comeback.

“That was so awesome to have that and to feel that feeling again of getting to Victory Lane,” Busch said. “That was pretty special.”

What obviously would be special is for Busch to take the checkered flag at Daytona’s summer race.

He’ll start his reserve Toyota in the 13th spot in row 7 after the multi-car practice accident he blamed on Brad Keselowski.

“It’s his fault and he caused it, but I’ve also probably been in the same boat and caused them before,” Busch said. “It’s practice. You don’t need to be up in a guy’s left rear.”

Severe weather forced NASCAR to cancel qualifying Saturday.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. was awarded the 400 pole with the fastest speed posted in the first practice. Austin Dillon will start on the outside.

The 160-lap race is scheduled to start at 7:45 p.m. on Sunday and, as usual, an afternoon thunderstorm is expected.

Jeff Gordon, who announced he will retire after the end of the season, is making his last drive at the storied track. He has six career victories here.

“I don’t think it will really hit me until we get farther down in the season,” Gordon said. “It’s going to be tough not coming back here and being behind the wheel.”

Busch said he is “grateful” that Daytona and the rest of NASCAR’s tracks improved driver safety.

He was rushed to Halifax Health Medical Center in Daytona Beach after his wreck before the 500. He is still battling pain in his foot, icing it for long periods after races. He has plates and screws in his first and second metatarsals.

Busch and his wife, Samantha, visited Halifax on Friday to visit the staff and convey their thanks.

“We just wanted to let them know that they’re doing a fantastic job and they were real receptive and many of the nurses that were there were the same ones that we had. It was really cool,” he said.

Kyle and Samantha also are the new proud parents of a son named Brexton, born in late May. It’s changed the driver’s life, but only to a point.

“It changes you a little bit, but it can’t make you soft. You certainly have to be a fierce competitor just like the rest of these guys and not let it weaken your spirit any that you’re just here collecting a check,” he said.

“At the same time, we always know there’s a risk and that risk is an unknown. Anything can happen. We obviously saw that here in Daytona in February. We’ll just continue on and pray to the good Lord that he keeps you safe and you come home.”

bschmitz@orlandosentinel.com