Kyle Busch has always been a polarizing figure in NASCAR. From his early days as the brash young driver who loved stirring controversy to his dominant runs across all three national series, Busch never cared about making friends. But after the 2024 season, something changed. The two-time Cup Series champion had one of the roughest years of his career, missing the playoffs for the first time in 18 years and failing to secure a single win.

It was a shock to see one of NASCAR’s greatest talents struggle so much on the track. Despite the tough season, Busch’s mindset seemed different. He wasn’t the same fiery driver who would flip off fans or call out competitors. Instead, his focus had shifted—toward family. More than ever, he started showcasing his son, Brexton Busch, a rising star in the junior racing. The man once known as “Rowdy” was softening, trading his aggressive persona for dad duties and, surprisingly, dad jokes.

Kyle Busch teases his son!

If you had told NASCAR fans a decade ago that Kyle Busch would become a fun-loving, joke-cracking dad, few would have believed it. He built his reputation on being the bad boy of the sport, clashing with rivals and embracing the villain role. But fatherhood has done something no NASCAR penalty ever could—it changed him.

His latest social media antics prove this transformation. In one of his recent posts, Busch was seen joking with Brexton after his race. Brexton asked how his performance was, and Busch referenced the iconic video of TikTok star AJ and Big Justice, where they say ‘BOOM’ five times to give a ‘big boom salute.’ However, adding a twist, Busch shouted VROOM! eight times, as he counted each one out loud, playfully exaggerating the sounds while Brexton shook his head in embarrassment. Busch captioned the post, “Big Booms?? Nah. Big VROOMS are only around here! @brextonbusch gets of 8 ’em.” It was a far cry from the aggressive driver who once feuded with Kevin Harvick and wrecked Ron Hornaday Jr. on purpose.

Notably, Kyle Busch’s transformation isn’t just about dad jokes. It’s about a deeper connection with his family. His wife, Samantha, has been a huge supporter of both Kyle and Brexton’s racing careers. She recently posted on social media about watching Brexton race at Caraway Speedway, admitting she was “jaw dropped” by his skill at just nine years old. Her mix of excitement and nervousness shows how much pride the family takes in Brexton’s success.

And success is exactly what Brexton has found. At just nine, he has already racked up wins, including the prestigious Golden Driller at the Tulsa Shootout. He started racing at five and quickly proved he had the same talent that made his father and uncle, Kurt Busch, household names. In 2022, he won both the Millbridge Beginner Box Championship and the Mountain Creek Beginner Box Championship. A year later, he added the Tuesday Night Beginner Box Millbridge title to his growing collection.

His recent performances have solidified him as one of the top young racers in the country. Kyle has been right by his side, not only as a father but also as a mentor. He has also spoken about his long-term plan, which involves stepping away from full-time Cup racing to support Brexton. “In a perfect world, I would retire from Cup racing when Brexton is 15, and we would split a Truck ride,” Busch revealed in 2023. He sees a future where his son can decide whether he wants to go the NASCAR route or continue in dirt racing. One thing is clear—Kyle Busch is preparing his son for success, and is taking no half-measures in doing so.

Busch consoles Connor Zilisch after the COTA mishap!

Kyle Busch’s transformation isn’t just about dad jokes—it’s about leadership, too. Recently, he took on the role of mentor for young driver Connor Zilisch after a brutal NASCAR Cup Series debut. The 18-year-old was making his debut at Circuit of The Americas (COTA) where he had speed, talent, and excitement. But things didn’t go as planned. On Lap 50, Zilisch made contact with a spinning Daniel Suárez, sending both cars into the wall. Zilisch finished 37th—dead last. It was a heartbreaking moment for the young driver.

He later took to social media, admitting he felt like his speed meant nothing after his disastrous finish. That’s when Kyle Busch stepped in. Instead of criticizing him, Busch offered words of encouragement. “Your future is bright. I too finished at the bottom in my Cup debut,” Busch posted on X. It was a heartfelt message from a driver who had experienced the same struggles. Notably, Busch’s own Cup debut in 2004 at Las Vegas ended in disaster. He crashed out after just 11 laps, finishing last in the field.

But that rough start didn’t define him. He went on to win 63 Cup races and two championships and became one of the greatest drivers in NASCAR history. Busch’s words meant a lot to Zilisch. It was a reminder that one bad race doesn’t define a career. Even legends start at the bottom. And Busch isn’t the only one who had a tough first race—Chase Elliott, Jimmie Johnson, and Brad Keselowski all struggled in their debuts before going on to win championships.