Kyle Busch answers the doubters with title-clinching win at Homestead

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By: Reid Spencer, NASCAR Wire Service | November 17, 2019 4:53 PM


With a flair for the dramatic and a car that asserted its superiority after a blood-red Florida sunset over Homestead-Miami Speedway, Kyle Busch claimed a milestone victory in Sunday’s Ford EcoBoost 400 — along with his second Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series title.



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At the same time, Busch emerged from the shadow cast by doubters who discounted the chances of the driver of the No. 18 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota, who hadn’t won a race in NASCAR’s top series since the June event at Pocono Raceway.




Other than seven-time champion Jimmie Johnson, Busch is now the only active driver with more than one title. Finishing 4.578 seconds ahead of JGR teammate Martin Truex Jr., who was thwarted by a colossal mix-up on pit road after leading 8 of the first 120 laps, Busch is the first driver to win multiple titles under NASCAR’s elimination playoff format.

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“Everybody always says you never give up,” said Busch, who picked up his 56th victory, breaking a tie with NASCAR Hall of Famer Rusty Wallace for ninth all-time. “We’re no different. We just do what we can do each and every week.

“Sometimes we may not be the best. Sometimes we may not have the right track position. Today we had a really good car, and I could race around and move around. That’s what’s so special about Homestead-Miami Speedway — the ability to put on a show.

“I felt like we did that here racing those guys. I know it kind of dulled out towards the end. It was exciting enough from my seat. It was a lot of fun to cap off such an amazing year.”

After a cycle of green-flag pit stops, Busch led the last 45 laps. Crew chief Adam Stevens called the No. 18 Camry to pit road on Lap 210, and Truex didn’t pit for service until four laps later. With four extra laps on new tires, Busch cycled out to a lead of nearly 11 seconds, and, though Truex, the 2017 champion, cut the margin down to fewer than five seconds, he ran out of time.

Truex already had lost his track position during a green-flag stop on Lap 120, when his crew bolted right-side tires to the left side of the car and vice versa. That rare mistake forced Truex to return to pit road under green, dropping him to 13th in the running order, one lap down.

Though Truex regained his lap under the only incident-related caution of the race (John Hunter Nemechek’s spin on Lap 136), he was never in position to challenge Busch for the win.




“Yeah, ultimately it was the loss of track position that bit us,” Truex said. “We restarted the third stage in third, and really wish I could have been either second or fourth. I got blitzed on the outside by the 20 (third-place finisher Erik Jones) and the 22 (fifth-place Joey Logano) and a couple of those guys; and then I had to just run the crap out of my right front to get back by them. I got tight on that run, and it took me forever to just get by a few cars.

“Ultimately, it came down to track position. I felt like if I could have been up front and controlled the race, I could have driven away from them.”

Given the way the race played out, the other two Championship 4 contenders — Kevin Harvick and Denny Hamlin — weren’t factors in the run to the finish. Harvick’s No. 4 Stewart-Haas Racing Ford had excellent short-run speed, but the event stayed green for the final 101 laps, nullifying his strength on restarts.

Hamlin had to make an extra pit stop in the final run to pull tape from the grille of his No. 11 JGR Toyota to prevent the car from overheating. Under the playoff format where he highest finishing of the Championship 4 drivers is crowned the champion, Harvick came home fourth, 14 seconds off Busch’s pace.

Hamlin was 10th, the last driver on the lead lap.

In an odd way, the 2019 run to the title seemed similar to the 2015 championship season, as far as Stevens was concerned. Busch missed the first 11 races that year because of injuries suffered in a crash in the season-opening NASCAR Xfinity Series race at Daytona.

He won four races in a five-event stretch shortly after his return. Then he won at Homestead to secure the Cup trophy.

“We had a cold spell there,” Stevens said of this year’s five-month drought. “It’s been well documented, believe it or not. Quite a few questions about it. Felt a little bit like 2015 to me. Take the broken legs out of the equation. We were hot early in 2015 when Kyle came back. We didn’t win since Indy that year, then came to Homestead and got the job done.

“You got to remember, too, we’re in such a unique situation, as a competitive team that runs up front with the goal of winning the championship every year. Everything we do is to make that happen, right? To win the regular season points championship, then try to maintain that and get to Homestead — that’s what it’s all about.”

 

Busch title caps historic season for Gibbs

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By: Kelly Crandall | 10 hours ago


The Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series season began and ended in the same way – with Joe Gibbs Racing and Toyota on top.

Gibbs had three cars sweep the top three spots in February at Daytona with Denny Hamlin, Kyle Busch, and Erik Jones. Sunday at Homestead-Miami Speedway, Busch led Martin Truex Jr. and Jones across the finish line to bring the curtain down on 2019 and cap off a historic season for the organization.

Busch won both the race and the championship. His victory gave team owner Joe Gibbs a final tally of 19 wins this season, which is the new single-season record for an organization. Hendrick Motorsports had set the previous mark with 18 wins in 2007.

Joe Gibbs Racing now has 176 victories in the NASCAR Cup Series.

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“For me, it started with the Daytona 500,” said Gibbs. “I think anybody that saw that would say there’s no way that could happen by accident. I felt like God was kind of overseeing that. I think J.D. [Gibbs’s son, who died in January] was there, and then it kind of continued the entire year for me. It’s been emotional to think that you could win the number of races we’ve won. It’s just something that normally doesn’t happen. I think he was a big part of it for us.”

Toyota Racing has won 143 races since joining the series in 2007. The manufacturer also took home this year’s manufacturers’ championship.

“I started in this job in 2007, and we were looking through some of the statistics and in 2007 Chevy won 26 races and Rick Hendrick’s team won 18,” said Ed Laukes, group vice president marketing for Toyota Motor North America at the start of the weekend. “So for us to even get to that point from 2007 to 2019 where we not only can match, but potentially pass the pinnacle of Hall of Fame Rick Hendrick and the legacy that he has within NASCAR, is really special.

“The manufacturers’ championship is obviously a piece of personal pride for us that we push all the time, so whether it’s in any one of the three series, it’s a big deal for us. So we’re pretty excited.”

Busch won his second championship in five years with Gibbs. It is the fifth Cup Series title for Gibbs as an owner.

“Well, it damn sure better,” cracked Busch of the 1-2-3 finish meaning something for Gibbs. “What else can we do for the guy? I mean, damn.

“That man is relentless. He is at the shop, whether it’s 7:00 or 8:00 in the morning, every single morning, that man is there, and he works. This is his life. This is what he does. Same as me, this is what he does. And I think that’s why we respect each other so much and we get along so well.”


Joe Gibbs Racing, Kyle Busch, NASCAR

 

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By Kelly Crandall - May 21, 2026, 5:53 PM ET

Kyle Busch 2026

Once viewed as a wild child of NASCAR but with talent that could not be denied, Kyle Busch turned that ability into one of the most successful careers the sport has ever seen.

Busch died Thursday after a brief illness. He was 41.

A joint statement from the Busch family, Richard Childress Racing, and NASCAR reads as follows:

“Our entire NASCAR family is heartbroken by the loss of Kyle Busch. A future Hall of Famer, Kyle was a rare talent, one who comes along once in a generation. He was fierce, he was passionate, he was immensely skilled and he cared deeply about the sport and fans.

"Throughout a career that spanned more than two decades, Kyle set records in national series wins, won championships at NASCAR’s highest level and fostered the next generation of drivers as an owner in the Truck Series. His sharp wit and competitive spirit sparked a deep emotional connection with race fans of every age, creating the proud and loyal ‘Rowdy Nation.’ Our thoughts are with Samantha, Brexton and Lennix, Kyle and Samantha's parents, Kurt and all of Kyle’s family, Richard and Judy Childress, everyone at Richard Childress Racing, his teammates, friends and fans. NASCAR lost a giant of the sport today, far too soon.

“During this incredibly difficult time, we ask everyone to respect the family’s privacy and continue to keep them in your thoughts and prayers. Further updates will be shared as appropriate.”

Busch is certain to be a first ballot NASCAR Hall of Famer. In a Cup Series career that spanned over 20 years, Busch won two Cup Series championships (2015, 2019) and 63 races. And during his time driving for Joe Gibbs, it seemed Busch was untouchable behind the wheel of one of the team's Toyotas as a constant presence at the front of the field.
Busch delivered his first championship with Gibbs in 2015, and backed it up with a second four years later. Chris Graythen/Getty Images

But Busch's records go deep. It is his name that leads the way as the winningest driver in both the Craftsman Truck Series (69) and O’Reilly Auto Parts Series (102). Busch also won the 2009 O’Reilly Auto Parts Series championship.

As a team owner with Kyle Busch Motorsports in the Craftsman Truck Series, he has seven owner championships and 98 race wins. Both series records.

The legacy began on a bullring in Las Vegas. Tom Busch, the father of Kyle and older brother Kurt, instilled in his sons a competitive nature but a hands-on approach to building and racing their cars. A former driver himself, Kurt followed in Tom’s footsteps first, and then Kyle did.

“He [Kyle] was always busy, and you didn’t have to get him out to the garage; you had to get him into the house,” Tom Busch told NBC Sports in a 2019 segment. “His brother raced first, so his earliest memories are maybe getting my stuff ready, but he’s probably too young for that. But he worked on Kurt’s car probably more than Kurt did.”

Kurt Busch made it to NASCAR first. But he would routinely say that his younger brother was better than him. In the years to come, a family rivalry would play out on the track as the brothers raced each other for wins and crashed into each other in the 2007 All-Star Race. They didn’t talk for a year afterward.
The debut had to come first. Kyle Busch made his NASCAR national series debut at 16 years old in the Truck Series. Jack Roush called him in as a replacement driver at Indianapolis in 2001, and then fielded him for five more races that season.

NASCAR, however, soon changed its age requirement for drivers to 18 years old to compete. It sidelined Busch until 2003, when he was signed to a development driver deal for Rick Hendrick. After running seven O’Reilly Auto Parts Series races in 2003, Busch exploded onto the scene in 2004 with five race wins and a runner-up in the championship as a full-time driver.

Hendrick quickly promoted him to the Cup Series in 2005. The partnership netted four wins together in the Cup Series and 11 in the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series. Then he was released after the 2007 season.
Busch's final Cup Series win came in his first year with RCR at the 2023 WWTR race. Jeff Curry/Getty Images

“I thought my career was over because I was getting released by the No. 1 team in the sport,” said Busch on the Graham Bensinger show in 2021. “So, who the hell is going to want to take a chance on a firestorm of emotions of Kyle Busch?”

Busch was indeed polarizing. For all his talent and success, he also had self-destructive tendencies when it came to how he handled rivalries or when things weren’t going smoothly.

Joe Gibbs wasn’t fazed. He heavily recruited Busch to sign with his organization beginning in 2008, and made it happen.

The partnership resulted in more success than anyone could have imagined. Suddenly, the talent that Busch had long been lauded for was on full display on a weekly basis.

It was with Gibbs that Busch won his two Cup Series championships, crown jewel races in the Coca-Cola 600 and the Brickyard 400, and his O’Reilly Auto Parts Series championship.
Busch won Toyota’s first Cup Series race in 2008. He delivered their first championship in 2015 after recovering from injuries sustained in the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series race at Daytona in February of that season.

“I’m always wary about ‘all time’ when you start talking pro sports because there’s been so many great ones, so I’m leery of that,” Gibbs said in 2019 when asked where Busch ranked among the greats. “I do think that Kyle has the unusual ability of some athletes … the guys that when they put that helmet on. I think, really, if he won 500 races, it wouldn’t change. He goes for it every single week.

“He’s got determination and a drive that’s just very unusual. I certainly think you guys will probably determine where he winds up in history; it won’t be me. I’ve only been here for 28 years, but I would say that Kyle probably has a chance to do something great.”

For the last four years, Busch drove for Richard Childress Racing, adding three wins to his resume. Away from the NASCAR track, Busch started racing alongside his son, Brexton, who is the next generation of Busch drivers. The two competed against each other for the first time last season in a dirt race.

Busch was selected as one of NASCAR’s 75 greatest drivers in 2023.

Kyle and Samantha Busch married in 2010. Brexton was born in 2015, and daughter Lennix followed in 2022.

 

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By Kelly Crandall - May 21, 2026, 10:38 AM ET

Busch hospitalized due to illness, sidelined for Charlotte

Kyle Busch has been hospitalized with an undisclosed illness and will not race this weekend at Charlotte Motor Speedway.

The Busch family posted the following statement on social media Thursday morning:

“Kyle has experienced a severe illness resulting in hospitalization. He is currently undergoing treatment and will not compete in any of his scheduled activities this weekend at Charlotte Motor Speedway. We ask for understanding and privacy as our family navigates this situation.”

In addition to his Cup Series ride for Richard Childress Racing and the Coca-Cola 600 to run Sunday night, Busch was entered in the Friday night Craftsman Truck Series race with Spire Motorsports. He won last weekend’s Truck Series race at Dover Motor Speedway.

Busch is 24th in the Cup Series standings through 12 races.

Austin Hill will drive the No. 8 Chevrolet in place of Busch in Sunday night’s race.

“Kyle Busch’s health is our upmost priority and he and his family have the full resources of RCR behind them,” Richard Childress Racing posted on social media. “Kyle is an integral part of our organization and we wish him a safe and speedway recovery. His No. 8 Chevrolet will be ready and waiting for him.

“We’re thankful to Austin Hill for stepping in to drive the No. 8 Chevrolet this weekend. Please keep Kyle and the Busch family in your prayers, and help us respect the family’s privacy at this time.”

 

Kyle fought until the end impossible odds

 

 

Sean Gardner/Getty Images
By Kelly Crandall - May 22, 2026, 3:16 PM ET

Richard Childress Racing suspends use of No. 8 in the NASCAR Cup Series

Richard Childress Racing will no longer use the No. 8 in the NASCAR Cup Series going forward.

Following the unexpected passing of Kyle Busch, who had used the number since 2023, the organization will switch to the No. 33 this weekend at Charlotte Motor Speedway and in the future. But they will continue to reserve the number for Busch’s son, Brexton.

A team statement reads, “Richard Childress Racing has elected to suspend use of the No. 8 and will run the No. 33 at Charlotte Motor Speedway and beyond. Kyle Busch was instrumental in the design of RCR’s stylized No. 8 and it has become synonymous with Kyle and an important symbol for his fans and the NASCAR industry.

“No one can carry it forward to the level that he did. The No. 8 is reserved and ready for Brexton Busch when he is ready to go NASCAR racing.”

Brexton, who recently turned 11, has been making his way up the racing ladder in recent years. Kyle Busch once admitted he had dreamt up a scenario where he and Brexton would race against each other in the Craftsman Truck Series.

Austin Hill will drive the No. 33 with Busch's team this weekend in the Coca-Cola 600.

Childress is sadly familiar with having to make a number change. After Dale Earnhardt's death, the No. 3 was set aside for 13 years before his grandson, Austin Dillon, brought the number back to the Cup Series.