Tony Stewart vs. Kurt Busch

Lore & Background

Busch was born in Las Vegas, Nevada, and began racing at age six. He made his NASCAR debut in 2001 in the Craftsman Truck Series with Roush Racing. He joined Hendrick Motorsports in 2003, then Joe Gibbs Racing in 2008, where he achieved his most successful stretch over fifteen years. In 2023, he joined Richard Childress Racing, competing until his death in 2026. He owned Kyle Busch Motorsports, which competed in the Truck Series from 2010 to 2023.

Reader's Guide

Busch won three major national series championships: the 2009 Nationwide Series and the 2015 and 2019 Cup Series. He holds the all-time record for career wins in the national series with 234 victories, including 102 in the Xfinity Series and 69 in the Truck Series. He is the only driver with at least 60 wins in each of NASCAR's top three series. His final Cup race was the 2026 Go Bowling at The Glen on May 10, where he finished eighth. His final NASCAR win was the Ecosave 200 truck race on May 15, 2026. He died on May 21, 2026.

Did You Know?

• Busch is the only driver to win four consecutive spring races at Richmond International Raceway (2009–2012).
• He won on his birthday twice: in 2009 at Richmond and in 2021 at Kansas.
• He holds the record for most laps led in the Daytona 500 without ever winning the race (324 laps).
• Busch's streak of consecutive seasons with a win ended at nineteen in 2024.