Hendrick Motorsports Insider Reveals Why Rick Hendrick Fired Kyle Busch; Unearths Boss’ 7-Word Statement for the Former Driver

Before a fifteen-year stint at Joe Gibbs Racing, Kyle Busch had once been a part of Hendrick Motorsports. Driving full-time in the NASCAR Cup Series for HMS from 2005, Kyle Busch was let go by the team after the 2007 season. Left fearing for his NASCAR career, Busch was hired by Joe Gibbs Racing, where he went on to win the 2015 and 2019 Cup Series championships. For the 2023 season, Busch has moved over to Richard Childress Racing and currently has three Cup series title wins this season. 

In light of his fabulous current season at RCR, NBC Sports commentator and Hendrick Motorsports insider, Steve Letarte reveals what HMS team owner Rick Hendrick had to say regarding Kyle ‘Rowdy’ Busch.

“He Wasn’t Wrong”: Steve Letarte Reveals HMS Owner’s Thoughts About Kyle Busch

Now a commentator for NBC, Steve Letarte served as crew chief at Hendrick Motorsports from 2005 to 2014. During Kyle Busch’s three years at HMS, Letarte was the crew chief for the now HMS VC, Jeff Gordon. Letarte spoke to Nate Ryan on the ‘NASCAR on NBC’ podcast on Kyle Busch’s switch from JGR to RCR, believing it was the right path to walk on for both teams. In doing so, the HMS insider delved into Rick Hendrick’s decision to fire Kyle Busch. He even revealed the HMS owner’s true-to-life statement regarding his former driver. 

Steve Letarte said, “I’m not sure anyone could predict the successful year he is having in the #8 car, and the reason is because this taper of a superstar’s career is impossible to track or question… As for Kyle Busch specifically, the man’s won what 60 races and some championships, and I don’t think his talent was in question, and I actually will say that the best thing that happened to JGR is that he went to RCR, even with those three wins.”

“Listen, let’s remember, Kyle Busch was at Hendrick Motorsports and it got to a point where it wasn’t the right fit. Rick Hendrick knowingly allowed him to move on, didn’t re-sign him, and I was in the room where he told us ‘how good Kyle Busch was gonna be’, and he wasn’t wrong,” said Letarte revealing the strong statement made by HMS owner Rick Hendrick.

He further added, “You have to ask yourself, is this the best thing that happened to everyone? Is Joe Gibbs Racing gonna be better long-term without Kyle Busch? Without a doubt, RCR is better!”

Watch This Story: After Kyle Busch Debacle, Ex-Daytona 500 Winner Accuses Joe Gibbs In Fresh Sponsorship Conundrum

While ‘Rowdy’ is enjoying a great season at Richard Childress Racing, his firing from NASCAR’s top team had him believing his NASCAR career was over.

What Led to Kyle Busch’s Firing From HMS?

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Kyle Busch believes the incident at the 2007 All-Star race was the start of his sour relationship with HMS. Racing alongside his brother, Kurt Busch, in the All-Star race, Kyle Busch’s in-race actions caused him and his brother to wreck out of the race. His erratic outbursts and ‘acting out’ didn’t help his case either.

As stated by ‘The Oklahoman’, Busch was signed by HMS when he was 18. Hendrick spent years trying to tame the young lad. Yet Busch struggled between being an aggressive driver and also behaving like an off-track corporate spokesman.

In an interview with Graham Bensinger two years ago, Kyle Busch said, “There was something not clicking with me, with the team. Also, the 2007 incidents at the All-Star Race. My outbursts and acting out a few times was ultimately the demise of the relationship.”

Read More: “I’m Happy for Him, But on the Other Hand, I’m Not!” – Kyle Busch Wants Key Hendrick Motorsports Figure Back in His NASCAR Team

Once unable to look past his firing from one of NASCAR’s best teams, Kyle Busch has made it known that his racing talents do not require the backing of a major team or prime equipment.