Brexton Busch is nine years old. Let that sink in for a moment. At an age when most kids are mastering multiplication tables or figuring out how to dodge broccoli at dinner, Brexton is already a seasoned racer with a trophy cabinet that would make some professionals envious. He’s won the Chili Bowl, dominated Junior Sprint races, and even clinched the Golden Driller at the Tulsa Shootout this year. The kid is a prodigy, no doubt about it. Kyle Busch should be a proud father, right?

But while his talent is undeniable, his father, NASCAR legend Kyle Busch, is drawing both admiration and concern for the ambitious career blueprint he’s laid out for his son. Despite warnings from peers about pushing children too hard, too soon, Kyle is charging full speed ahead.

Kyle Busch seemingly ignores the perils of pushing kids too fast

Kyle Busch isn’t just a proud dad; he’s a man with a plan. In a recent interview with Steve Post, Busch revealed his expectations for Brexton: he wants him racing at the NASCAR level by the time he’s 15 or 16. That’s just six years away. For context, most drivers don’t even sniff the Cup Series until their early 20s. But Kyle, ever the competitor, sees no reason to wait.

“He’s gonna be getting into NASCAR in about six years,” Busch said matter-of-factly as if discussing a school project rather than a high-stakes career in one of the world’s most demanding sports.

“It’s been fun,” Busch said of racing alongside Brexton. “I see him continuing to grow through the dirt track ranks while also running the pavement stuff.”

Kyle Busch’s approach to Brexton’s career—and his own dirt racing ambitions—is pertinent to a broader debate in motorsport: how young is too young? While prodigies like Jeff Gordon and Tiger Woods prove early starts can lead to legendary careers, the risks are undeniable. Burnout, pressure, and missed childhoods are just a few potential pitfalls.

This approach hasn’t gone unnoticed—or unchallenged. Fellow drivers and industry veterans have raised concerns about the risks of rushing young talent into the spotlight. Brad Keselowski, for one, has been vocal about the need for a more gradual development path. Drawing parallels to the NFL, where players must be at least three years out of high school before entering the draft, Keselowski argues NASCAR should implement similar age restrictions.

“You need an opportunity for them to grow who they are, not just for marketing reasons but even for competitive reasons,” Keselowski said.

Kelley Earnhardt Miller echoed these feelings as she explained the importance of allowing inexperienced drivers to build their personalities and connect with fans before being thrust into the limelight. “You don’t get that opportunity to build their personalities and show people who they are,” she noted.

Yet, for every critic, there’s a supporter. Kenny Wallace, for instance, has praised parents like Kyle Busch for raising their kids at the track. “They’re allowing them to get out of the race car, be kids, hang out with your friends, but yet all the while teaching them geometry,” Wallace said.

Kyle Busch remains undeterred. Brexton’s success—32 wins at 13 different tracks, to be exact—speaks for itself. But the question lingers: at what cost?

Kyle’s dirt track journey—A humbling new challenge

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While Brexton’s career is taking off, Kyle Busch is navigating his own uncharted territory: dirt racing. Despite being a two-time Cup Series champion and NASCAR’s winningest active driver, Busch is a relative newcomer to the dirt track world. And he’s determined to prove himself on his own terms.

“People expect me to light the world on fire in the dirt world, and I’m like, I’ve never been here before,” Busch told Steve Post. “Pretend I’m a no-namer and I’m coming up through. I’m holding my own.”

Busch’s humility is refreshing, especially for a driver with over 200 NASCAR wins. But his foray into dirt racing hasn’t been without its challenges. At the 2025 Chili Bowl, Busch’s performance was a mixed bag. He started strong, finishing second in his heat and earning 118 passing points—good enough for third overall in the series. But things quickly unraveled. A seventh-place finish in the qualifier dashed his hopes of making the A-feature, and despite a valiant effort, he ultimately bowed out in the E-main.

“I just wanted to show a little bit better,” Busch admitted afterward. “It was definitely a learning experience.”

Still, Busch’s willingness to step outside his comfort zone is commendable. Dirt racing is a far cry from the polished asphalt of NASCAR tracks, and mastering it requires a completely different skill set. For Busch, it’s not just about winning; it’s about the journey—and sharing that journey with his son.

As for Brexton, the future looks bright—if not a little fast-tracked. With his father’s guidance and his own undeniable talent, he’s well on his way to becoming NASCAR’s next big star. But whether he’ll be ready for the Cup Series at 15 remains to be seen.

One thing’s for sure: Kyle Busch isn’t hitting the brakes anytime soon.