Kyle Busch isn’t just having a very good season, or even a great one: he’s having one of the best seasons in NASCAR history. He added another notch on his belt on Sunday by winning the Sprint Cup Centurion Boats at the Glen in dominating fashion. And definitely had a better day than everyone involved in this crash near the end of the race (although there were no serious injuries, just a lot of race cars turned to junk metal):

With the win, Busch clinched the No. 1 seed in the upcoming Chase for the Cup. He also became the first NASCAR driver to win three road course races in one season, as part of his 16 wins overall in all NASCAR national series. It’s pretty heady stuff for a 23 year-old once considered too hot-headed and unreliable to be a title contender. Joe Gibbs Racing took a chance on him this season, and the risk has paid off.

Despite the unprecedented success he’s had this season, he’s rubbed a lot of people the wrong way: he still gets more boos than cheers when he wins, but too his credit he’s relished his role as “black hat” much the same way a young Dale Earnhardt did. And he’s earned the jealousy of some of his fellow drivers, including Jeff Gordon, who earlier this week ranked Busch third on his list of favorites to win the Sprint Cup Championship, behind Carl Edwards and Gordon’s teammate Jimmie Johnson.

Karma wasn’t to kind for Gordon after his comments: he finished back in the pack in 25th after an incident-marred day. Gordon’s “favorites” Edwards and Johnson finished in the top 10, but well in back of Busch. Remind me not to ask Jeff Gordon for stock tips. Or marriage advice.