At the start of the 2024 NASCAR season, no one could have predicted Kyle Busch would be competing at the Tulsa Shootout and the Chili Bowl Nationals. Yet, here he is, stepping out of his comfort zone and diving into the world of dirt racing. After a challenging season, this new venture seems like the perfect opportunity for Busch to enjoy racing without the pressure of NASCAR’s high expectations. It’s allowed him to rediscover the joy of racing, and so far, the results have been promising.
Busch has quickly adapted to racing micro-midgets, winning heat races in both classes. However, the question remains whether he can handle the challenge of a winged sprint car if the opportunity arises. While initially hesitant, Busch is warming up to the idea of testing out a sprint car. Larson, a dirt racing legend, has been persistently urging Busch to join him in the sprint car world. Despite some reservations, Busch has expressed an openness to the idea, saying he’d at least like to test it out, even though he’s never driven one before.
Kyle Larson, widely regarded as one of the most versatile drivers in NASCAR today, is not just pushing Busch to join sprint car racing, but also co-owns the High Limit Racing series. Larson has long been a dominant figure in dirt racing, having won numerous events, and sees the potential for Busch to excel outside of NASCAR. Despite his hesitation, Busch has been impressed by Larson’s success and influence, though he’s still unsure about fully committing to the winged sprint car scene.
Busch’s exploration into dirt racing has largely been limited to midget cars, with appearances at events like the Millbridge Speedway and USAC Nationals. Now, he’s set to compete in the prestigious Chili Bowl Nationals, which is often referred to as the “SuperBowl of midget racing.” As he continues to learn, Busch has acknowledged some similarities between non-winged dirt cars and stock cars in NASCAR. He’s found that, while they aren’t directly comparable, some aspects of the driving experience are reminiscent of NASCAR, particularly in the way the car feels during turns.
While Kyle Busch is making waves in dirt racing, he isn’t the only Busch family member competing at the Tulsa Shootout. His nine-year-old son, Brexton, is also racing, showing significant promise as he continues to develop his skills. Busch’s decision to focus Brexton’s early years on dirt racing rather than pavement racing comes from a belief that dirt racing provides a solid foundation for any type of racing career. Although pavement racing is often seen as the traditional route to NASCAR, Busch feels that dirt racing can teach valuable skills that translate to any form of racing. He even hinted that Brexton could choose to stay in dirt racing, though NASCAR remains the ultimate goal.
Looking ahead, Busch knows that his son will eventually face a decision: stay in dirt racing or pursue a NASCAR career. For now, Brexton is learning the ropes of both disciplines, with NASCAR being the intended end goal. However, Busch is open to the possibility of his son finding success in dirt racing, much like Larson did before transitioning to NASCAR.
With both father and son competing in the Tulsa Shootout, there’s a real chance that they could both leave the event with a trophy, marking a successful chapter in the Busch family’s racing journey.
Kyle Larson Is Already Pulling Kyle Busch Away From NASCAR as He Continues His Exploration
