Kyle Busch

Kyle Busch

Kyle Thomas Busch (May 2, 1985 – May 21, 2026), nicknamed "Rowdy", was an American professional stock car racing driver and racing team owner who competed from 2001 until his death in 2026. Throughout his career, Busch raced under several car numbers, though he was most prominently identified with the No. 18 Toyota for Joe Gibbs Racing between (/wiki/2008NASCARSprintCupSeries) and (/wiki/2022NASCARCupSeries) in the NASCAR Cup Series. Known for his dominance across NASCAR's top three divisions, Busch is widely regarded as one of the most accomplished and talented drivers in motorsports history.

Born and raised into a racing family in Las Vegas, Nevada, Busch was immersed in motorsports at an early age, assisting with race car preparations as a child before progressing into competitive driving in go-karts and short-track racing during his adolescence. By his early teens, he had already established himself as a standout talent on the local circuit, capturing multiple championships and attracting the attention of stock car organizations. He made his national NASCAR debut in 2001 in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series with Roush Racing. Two years later, he joined Hendrick Motorsports through their driver development program, eventually advancing into NASCAR's major touring series. He remained with the organization through the 2007 season before signing with Joe Gibbs Racing in 2008, where he competed and achieved the most successful stretch of his career over a fifteen-year tenure. In 2023, he joined Richard Childress Racing, competing for the organization until his death in 2026.

At the time of his death, Busch ranked ninth on the all-time NASCAR Cup Series wins list and first in overall wins between the top three NASCAR divisions. His career achievements included three major national series championships, having won the 2009 NASCAR Nationwide Series and two NASCAR Cup Series championships ((/wiki/2015NASCARSprintCupSeries) and (/wiki/2019MonsterEnergyNASCARCupSeries)). He also amassed victories in several important races, highlighted by four crown jewel events, and was the recipient of numerous awards. His aggressive driving style and demeanor led to him earning several nicknames over the course of his career.

In addition to his driving career, Busch owned and operated Kyle Busch Motorsports, a stock car racing team that competed in the O'Reilly Auto Parts Series from (/wiki/2011NASCARNationwideSeries) to (/wiki/2013NASCARNationwideSeries) and the Truck Series from (/wiki/2010NASCARCampingWorldTruckSeries) to (/wiki/2023NASCARCraftsmanTruckSeries). Busch was the younger brother of 2004 NASCAR Nextel Cup Series champion Kurt Busch.

Early life and career

Kyle Busch

Busch was born on May 2, 1985, in Las Vegas, Nevada, the second child of Tom and Gaye Busch, who were originally from Schaumburg, Illinois. Tom, then working as a mechanic at a Ford dealership in Las Vegas, was introduced to racing by a colleague at a local short track. He later became a stock car driver himself, winning several championships in the area. Busch followed a similar path; he was introduced to racing at age six, driving a makeshift go-kart around the cul-de-sac in his family's neighborhood. Because he could not reach the throttle, his father operated the gas pedal while Busch focused on steering and learning basic driving skills. He began working in the family garage with his father and older brother Kurt, and by age 10 he was serving as crew chief for Kurt's dwarf car team. At age thirteen, Busch began his career in 1998, and from 1999 to 2001, he won over 65 races in legends car racing, claiming two track championships at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway Bullring. In 2001, he transitioned to late model racing, securing 10 victories at the Bullring that season.

At the age of sixteen, Busch began competing in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, driving the No. 99 Ford for Roush Racing, replacing the released Nathan Haseleu midway through the 2001 season. He debuted at Indianapolis Raceway Park, finishing an impressive ninth in his first race. In his second race at Chicago Motor Speedway, he led until his truck ran out of fuel with twelve laps remaining. Busch was fastest in practice for the 2001 Auto Club 200 at California Speedway in Fontana, CA, but not yet 18, was ruled ineligible to compete under the 1998 Tobacco Master Settlement Agreement. Tim Woods III replaced Busch in the No. 99 Ford and finished 25th. Six weeks after the Fontana incident, NASCAR implemented a minimum age requirement of eighteen, starting in 2002, to prevent similar incidents.

Busch transitioned from NASCAR to the American Speed Association National Tour, where he finished 8th in the standings. He competed in six Truck Series races in 2001, with two ninth-place finishes at IRP and Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

In 2002, Busch graduated early with honors from Durango High School in Spring Valley, to focus on his racing career. That same year, he debuted in the ARCA RE/MAX Series at Lowe's Motor Speedway, finishing twelfth in the No. 22 Chevrolet for WP Motorsports.

NASCAR

Kyle Busch

Busch waving the checkered flag after winning the 2008 Toyota/Save Mart 350 at the Sonoma Raceway. The No. 18 car became his signature of his NASCAR Cup Series career.

Busch racing his truck at the 2022 DoorDash 250. Busch would eventually become the all-time wins leader in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series.

Busch established himself as one of the most accomplished drivers in NASCAR history, holding numerous records across the sport's top divisions. In 2010, he set the modern-era record for most combined victories in a single season in NASCAR's three premier series with 24 wins. He also holds the all-time record for career wins in the national series with 234 victories. Busch set the record for most wins in a season in the Xfinity Series with thirteen in 2010, and holds the overall record with 102 wins. He also has the most wins in the Truck Series with 69. Busch is the only driver in history to have at least 60 career wins in each of NASCAR's top three series. In 2019, he tied the record for consecutive top-ten finishes to start a season, matching Morgan Shepherd's streak of 11. His victory at Auto Club Speedway in 2023 made him the record holder for most consecutive seasons with a win, at nineteen, a streak that ended in 2024 with a winless season.

Just shy of age 20, Busch became NASCAR's youngest-ever pole winner in a Cup Series race at California Speedway in 2005. He also became the youngest driver to qualify for the Chase for the Sprint Cup in 2006. Busch made history as the first driver to win a race and a championship in a Toyota in the Cup Series, claiming victory at Atlanta Motor Speedway in 2008 and securing the 2015 Cup championship. He is the only driver to win four consecutive spring races at Richmond International Raceway (2009–2012) and was the inaugural winner of the first Cup Series race at Kentucky Speedway in 2011.

Busch, who began his NASCAR career in 2003, is one of only six drivers to have won championships in both the Cup Series and Xfinity Series. In 2005, he became the 14th of just 36 drivers to win a race in each of NASCAR's three national series. In 2009, Busch made history as the first driver to win two top-tier NASCAR races on the same day at Auto Club Speedway. In 2010, he became the first driver to win races in all three of NASCAR's top series in the same weekend at Bristol, a feat he repeated at the same track in 2017.

Busch made history by winning the 2009 Crown Royal Presents the Russell Friedman 400 at Richmond International Raceway on his 24th birthday, becoming only the second driver in NASCAR history to win on their birthday. Twelve years later, on his 36th birthday, he captured victory again in the Buschy McBusch Race 400 at Kansas Speedway, joining Cale Yarborough as the only two drivers to win on their birthday twice. In 2010, Kyle Busch Motorsports made an impressive debut, becoming the first Truck Series organization to win the owners' championship in its inaugural season, recording eight wins, 16 top-five finishes, and 21 top-ten finishes.

As of the completion of the 2022 Daytona 500, Busch holds the record for the most lifetime laps led in the history of the race, leading 324 laps, without ever securing a victory in the event.

In December 2021, M&M's/Mars announced it would end its primary sponsorship with Busch and Joe Gibbs Racing after the 2022 season. On September 13, 2022, Busch revealed he had signed a multi-year contract with Richard Childress Racing, beginning in 2023.

The 2026 Go Bowling at The Glen on May 10 marked Busch's final Cup race, where he finished eighth. The Ecosave 200 truck race on May 15 was his final NASCAR win. On May 21, he withdrew from the entry list for the upcoming Coca-Cola 600 due to hospitalization with a severe illness, and died later that day.

Late model racing

Kyle Busch

Busch maintained an active presence in regional late model stock car racing, frequently competing in events with his own Kyle Busch Motorsports cars. One of his most significant victories came in December 2009 when he won the 42nd Snowball Derby at Five Flags Speedway in Pensacola, Florida. He returned to the event in 2015, winning the last-chance qualifier race, before finishing 19th in the main event. Busch later captured his second Snowball Derby victory in December 2017.

Busch had occasionally competed in dirt late model events, including the 2009 Battle at the Grove charity race at the Williams Grove Speedway.

On July 10, 2011, Busch won the 32nd annual Slinger Nationals at Slinger Speedway in Wisconsin. Two weeks later, he claimed victory in the 38th annual TD Bank 250, presented by New England Dodge Dealers, at Oxford Plains Speedway. This marked his third attempt to win the prestigious event, which is New England's largest short-track race. Busch became only the second active NASCAR Cup Series driver to win the race, joining Kevin Harvick, who achieved the feat in 2008. Reflecting on the victory, Busch said, "I've had this one on my list of big races that I wanted to win and now that I've done it, it feels great—it was everything I thought it would be." Busch also dominated the weekend by winning the preliminary Pro All Star Series Oxford 150 the night before, completing a sweep of the event.

In June 2012, Busch won the eighth annual Prelude to the Dream at Eldora Speedway, defeating Tony Stewart in the pay-per-view all-star event. The following year in July, Busch dominated the Howie Lettow Memorial 150 at the Milwaukee Mile, winning the darkness-shortened event. He led every practice session, set the fastest qualifying time, and outpaced defending race winner Travis Sauter and NASCAR Truck Series regular Johnny Sauter in the 43-car field.

Other racing

Kyle Busch

Busch also raced in super late model competition, such as the 2012 Slinger Nationals at the Slinger Super Speedway, at which he won the pole position.

Busch was among several American drivers considered to drive for the US-based Formula One team, US F1. However, he declined the offer, citing poor timing. The team ultimately folded due to economic issues before ever competing in a race. Busch was scheduled to test drive a Toyota F1 car at the end of the 2008 racing season but declined due to the obligatory 2008 Nationwide Series banquet. He tried short course off-road racing in 2010 at the Route 66 Raceway Off-Road Championship, but retired after two laps with a broken rear suspension.

In 2020, Busch competed in the 24 Hours of Daytona with AIM Vasser Sullivan, driving a Lexus RC F GT3 alongside Jack Hawksworth, Parker Chase, and Michael De Quesada. He contributed four and a half hours behind the wheel, helping the team secure a ninth-place finish in the GTD class and 26th overall. Nitrocross, a rallycross series founded by former NASCAR driver Travis Pastrana, invited Busch to compete in the November 2021 race weekend at Firebird Motorsports Park. He placed fourth in the Supercar Final behind winner Pastrana.

In 2023, Busch competed in the Superstar Racing Experience (SRX) at Motor Mile Speedway on July 27 and Berlin Raceway on August 3. At Motor Mile, he battled Tony Stewart and Clint Bowyer for the win in the closing laps, ultimately taking the checkered flag. A week later at Berlin Raceway, he secured another victory, going 2-for-2 in the series. The following year, on November 14, Busch announced that he would run the Chili Bowl Nationals in January 2025. He finished third in the second F-feature, but failed to qualify for the D-feature after finishing fifteenth in the second F-feature and starting from the back of the pack.

Personal life

Kyle Busch

Busch and his wife Samantha in 2013

Busch married Samantha Sarcinella on December 31, 2010, in Chicago, in a one-hour feature on the Esquire Network. Sarcinella, a native of St. John, Indiana, graduated from Purdue University with a degree in psychology. The couple had two children: a son born in 2015 and a daughter born in 2022. Busch's son, Brexton, has become a winning racing driver.

Legal issues

On May 24, 2011, Busch was cited for reckless driving and speeding near Troutman, North Carolina, after driving 128 mph (206 km/h) in a 45 mph (72 km/h) zone while test-driving a Lexus LFA. He later apologized, admitting he had gotten "carried away." On August 23, 2011, he pleaded guilty to speeding and received a $1,000 fine, a 45-day license suspension, 30 hours of community service, and one year of unsupervised probation.

On April 29, 2014, Busch was cited for driving 60 mph (97 km/h) in a 45 mph (72 km/h) zone on NC 73 in Denver, North Carolina. He said he believed the speed limit was 55 mph (89 km/h).

On February 6, 2023, news reports revealed that Busch had been arrested in Cancún, Mexico, in January for handgun possession. According to the prosecutor, Busch was sentenced to 42 months in prison and fined US$1,100, though details about how the sentence would be served were not disclosed. Busch later issued a statement apologizing for his lack of awareness of Mexican laws and said he considered the matter resolved.

In popular culture

Kyle Busch

Busch appeared in multiple racing video games, including as a cover driver in NASCAR Kart Racing and NASCAR Heat 2, the latter of which came after winning the 2017 Monster Energy NASCAR All-Star Race cover competition. He is also a playable driver in Forza Motorsport 6 through the NASCAR expansion pack, which includes his No. 18 Toyota Camry with M&M's/Interstate Batteries sponsorship. In addition, alongside Chase Elliott and Jimmie Johnson, Busch provided commentary in the expansion as one of the "voices of motorsport."

In filmography and television, Busch made a cameo appearance as a West Virginia state trooper in the 2017 comedy film Logan Lucky. That same year, he appeared as a celebrity contestant on The $100,000 Pyramid. When his wife starred in the 2019 CMT reality TV series Racing Wives, he was seen in some shots. In 2022, an American documentary titled Rowdy was focused on his life and NASCAR career.

Busch was a fan of professional wrestling. He appeared on WWE programming multiple times, including guest hosting Monday Night Raw in the October 26, 2009 episode with Joey Logano. A month later in November for the O'Reilly Auto Parts Challenge at the Texas Motor Speedway, both Busch and Logano raced in special paint schemes promoting the WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2010 video game. Busch returned to the WWE on December 2, 2019, during which he briefly won the WWE 24/7 Championship by pinning R-Truth, with Michael Waltrip serving as guest referee. R-Truth later reclaimed the title that night.

Other ventures

Rowdy Energy

Rowdy Energy was an energy drink company based in Del Mar, California founded in 2019 by Busch and beverage entrepreneur Jeff Church.

The first batch of the drink was produced in January 2020, with ten flavors available online, including seven sugar-free, Keto-certified options. The traditional drinks contained 60% less sugar than other popular energy drinks.

Rowdy branding first appeared at the 2020 24 Hours of Daytona when Busch was seen with a Cherry Limeade can and wearing a Rowdy Energy hat. The logo also appeared on his Daytona 500 helmet, and Busch drank a Rowdy Energy after his race exit. Rowdy Energy is listed as an associate partner on KyleBusch.com. In late 2020, the brand sponsored Formula D driver Ken Gushi. It also sponsored races like the Southern Super Series' Rowdy Energy Twin 100s at Five Flags Speedway and Sprint car racing's the TRD KKBM Giveback Classic. Additionally, Rowdy Energy sponsored sprint and midget car driver Rico Abreu.

On January 10, 2024, Busch announced that Rowdy Energy had ceased operations and closed its doors in the following weeks.

Auto Dealerships

Kyle Busch, along with Dennis & Co., partnered to acquire the Hawthorne Chevrolet franchise in New Jersey in May 2024. Busch later partnered with Boyd Automotive to purchase the OBX Chevrolet franchise in Kitty Hawk, NC.

Philanthropy

In 2006, Busch established the Kyle Busch Foundation after visiting the St. John's Home in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The Foundation focuses on providing essential resources to underprivileged children across the United States. In 2008, Busch launched the "Kyle's Miles" program in partnership with Pedigree to support dogs in shelters and breed rescue organizations.

After winning his first Cup Series race at California on September 4, 2005, Busch and team owner Rick Hendrick donated their winnings to the American Red Cross to support Hurricane Katrina relief efforts. Busch announced the donation during an appearance on The Oprah Winfrey Show, which drew widespread praise.

Death

Kyle Busch

On May 21, 2026, Busch's family announced that he had been hospitalized with a sudden and severe illness, which forced him to withdraw from the upcoming 2026 North Carolina Education Lottery 200 and the 2026 Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. He died later that day at age 41.

Busch had been experiencing a sinus cold during the Cup Series race at Watkins Glen International on May 10. On May 16, he said that he was still experiencing symptoms and described his cough as "substantial". The AP reported that Busch became unresponsive on May 20 while testing in Chevrolet's Driver in the Loop (DIL) Simulator at the GM Technical Center in Concord, North Carolina, and was taken to the hospital. Reports based on a (/wiki/911(emergencytelephonenumber)) call stated that he had been having difficulty breathing and was coughing up blood. On May 23, it was revealed that Busch had contracted pneumonia that eventually progressed into sepsis, which led to hemorrhagic shock and disseminated intravascular coagulation, his cause of death.

Reactions

After Busch's death, flowers were placed on his car at the headquarters of sponsor Mars Wrigley

Following the news of his death, fans created a memorial at the Richard Childress Racing museum. Numerous drivers issued statements, and multiple politicians and public figures posted tributes.

Richard Childress Racing released a statement the next day announcing that Busch's No. 8 car, which had been scheduled to be driven by Austin Hill that weekend, would be renumbered as the No. 33. The team added that the No. 8 would be reserved for Busch's son, Brexton Busch, should he compete in NASCAR in the future. NASCAR also removed Busch from the 2026 Cup points standings.

NASCAR tributes

A memorial rock with Busch's bow engraved on it at Las Vegas Motor Speedway

Before the Truck race in Charlotte, both Spire Motorsports and Kaulig Racing added the Kyle Busch Motorsports logo to their trucks. Each entered car had a No. 8 decal on it in Busch's memory. Throughout the race weekend, the lower-series winning drivers (Ross Chastain and Layne Riggs) performed his signature bow.

During the opening ceremony for the Coca-Cola 600, Busch's family were honored on the frontstretch by NASCAR CEO Steve O'Donnell. CMS displayed Busch's No. 8 decal and signature on the frontstretch grass; Kurt laid eight flowers on the number. During the race, the cars formed the "missing man formation" during the pace lap, and a moment of silence was observed on lap 8. Former teammate Daniel Suárez won the race and dedicated it to Busch; Suárez was driving the No. 7 for Spire Motorsports, the number and team Busch won with for his final career NASCAR victory in the Truck Series race at Dover.

Two weeks after his death, longtime teammate Denny Hamlin tied Busch in wins at Michigan. During Hamlin's victory burnout, Hamlin waved a special flag in memoriam utilizing the font of the "1" from JGR's No. 18 as well as RCR's No. 8. On August 13, 2026, Ty Gibbs' No. 54 team announced a throwback to Busch's M&M's No. 18 car to be run in remembrance of Busch at Bristol. NASCAR recognized "Kyle Busch Day" on August 18 (or "8-18") as a nod to his two most prominent car numbers.

Other

Brexton Busch doing his fathers celebratory bow after completing a burnout in the car Kyle made his last Cup Series start in, at his Celebration of Life at Charlotte Motor Speedway in October 2026.

During the 2026 Indianapolis 500, Romain Grosjean's car would feature Busch's iconic No. 18 font. The race had a moment of silence on lap 18, with Busch on the scoring pylon. After winning the Italian motorcycle Grand Prix sprint, Raúl Fernández had a Busch sticker riding with him to his win.

The Carolina Hurricanes and Vegas Golden Knights of the National Hockey League both held a moment of silence during their next scheduled home games on May 21 and 24, respectively.

Addison McDowell, a United States Representative from North Carolina, gave a tribute statement to Busch while speaking on the floor on June 9. The Senate also passed a bipartisan resolution on June 19 in his honor; the resolution was sponsored by Republicans Ted Budd and Thom Tillis alongside Democrats Catherine Cortez Masto and Jacky Rosen.

Motorsports career results

NASCAR

(key) (Bold – Pole position awarded by qualifying time. Italics – Pole position earned by points standings or practice time.  – Most laps led.  – All laps led.)

Daytona 500

Year	Team	Manufacturer	Start	Finish
2005	Hendrick Motorsports	Chevrolet	19	38
2006			4	23
2007			8	24
2008	Joe Gibbs Racing	Toyota	24	4
2009			4	41
2010			7	14
2011			10	8
2012			14	17
2013			4	34
2014			37	19
2015			INQ†
2016			4	3
2017			21	38
2018			12	25
2019			31	2
2020			28	34
2021			10	14
2022			10	6
2023	Richard Childress Racing	Chevrolet	36	19
2024			34	12
2025			21	34
2026			1	15
† – Qualified but replaced by Matt Crafton

Craftsman Truck Series

Season still in progress 1 Ineligible for series points 2 Busch was removed from the Cup Series standings following his death.

ARCA Re/Max Series

(key) (Bold – Pole position awarded by qualifying time. Italics – Pole position earned by points standings or practice time.  – Most laps led.)

Camping World East Series

NASCAR Camping World East Series results
Year	Team	No.	Make	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	NCWEC	Pts	Ref
2009	Joe Gibbs Racing	18	Toyota	GRE	TRI	IOW 1	SBO	GLN	NHA	TMP	ADI	LRP	NHA	DOV	44th	190

Superstar Racing Experience

(key)  – Most laps led. 1 – Heat 1 winner. 2 – Heat 2 winner.

Superstar Racing Experience results
Year	No.	1	2	3	4	5	6	SRXC	Pts	References
2023	51	STA	STA II	MMS 1	BER 1	ELD	LOS	N/A	0 (ineligible for points)

Complete WeatherTech SportsCar Championship results

(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position; races in italics indicate fastest lap)

Year	Entrant	Class	Make	Engine	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	Rank	Points	References
2020	AIM Vasser Sullivan	GTD	Lexus RC F GT3	Lexus 5.0 L V8	DAY 9	DAY	SEB	ELK	VIR	ATL	MDO	CLT	PET	LGA	SEB	50th	22

24 Hours of Daytona

24 Hours of Daytona results
Year	Class	No	Team	Car	Co-drivers	Laps	Position	Class Pos.	Ref
2020	GTD	14	AIM Vasser Sullivan	Lexus RC F GT3	Parker Chase Michael de Quesada Jack Hawksworth	757	26th	9th

Awards and honors

Kyle Busch

• Two-time NASCAR Cup Series Champion (2015, 2019) • Two-time NASCAR Cup Series Regular Season Champion (2018, 2019) • NASCAR Nationwide Series Champion (2009) • Seven-time NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Owner's Champion (as owner of Kyle Busch Motorsports – 2010, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2019)

• WWE 24/7 Championship (one time)

• Two-time Best Driver ESPY Award winner (2016, 2019)