Kyle Busch hasn’t had an easy year. For the first time in 19 seasons, ‘Rowdy’ ended his Cup Series campaign without a win, despite coming agonizingly close on several occasions. The Richard Childress Racing driver finished 20th in the driver standings, proving that not even legends are immune to disappointing results. However, the 39-year-old is all set to begin a new motorsport adventure soon, having decided to take part in midget car racing during the off-season.

Given how topsy-turvy his Cup Series campaign has been, could Busch rediscover his love for racing in smaller and more nimble cars? Time will tell. However, it will be a learning experience that the Nevada native will benefit from, even if he doesn’t succeed on the racetrack.

Kyle Busch is all set to undertake a motorsport adventure

Kyle Busch will be itching to prove himself. While results behind the wheel of his No. 8 Chevy have been far from satisfactory, the two-time Cup Series champion has a point to prove. Competing across disciplines isn’t something Rowdy is wholly unfamiliar with, having taken part in the Xfinity and Truck Series in the past. However, midget car racing will be an all-new challenge for the veteran driver, who will be following in the footsteps of Tony Stewart and Kyle Larson by participating in the Chili Bowl race next year.

Speculating on how Kyle Busch might fare in the ‘Super Bowl of Midget Racing’, NASCAR YouTuber Eric Stepp said, “Kyle Bush isn’t a dirt racer by trade, this is something he’s tried to adapt later in his career. Yes, he’s got a Bristol dirt race win on his resume but he’s not a dirt racer as the saying goes. Kyle Bush is a race car driver, it’s cool to see him step out of his comfort zone and have fun with a new discipline. I don’t know how Kyle Bush will perform at the Chili Bowl. It’s going to be tough but bigger picture, I hope this is a pallet cleanser for him. A reset, mentally, physically, emotionally.”

To get accustomed to the high-power-weight ratio of midget cars, Busch will make his debut at Bakersfield Speedway on November 26th before competing at Ventura Raceway four days later. The two races should give ‘Rowdy’ more than enough time to get accustomed to the rigors of the motorsport discipline, after which he will compete at the Chili Bowl Midget Nationals from January 13 -18 at SageNet Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Revealing his underlying motives behind taking part in the race, the Nevada native said, “The Chili Bowl is a legendary event and has always been on my wish list.”

Kyle Busch will hope that the experience will be a positive one, helping him hit the ground running in the 2025 Cup Series opener at Daytona International Speedway. The 39-year-old driver desperately needs a change, and challenging himself in a new motorsport discipline could be a pallet cleanser that will help him refresh and recharge before another demanding season at NASCAR’s highest level. In the last two years, the Richard Childress Racing driver has made a good start to the season. Will he be able to make it three in a row, but maintain consistency to challenge for the Bill France Cup once again? Time will tell.

Busch hoping not to embarrass himself in midget racing

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It’s always daunting to start a new activity, particularly when you have a reputation to maintain. For Kyle Busch to try his hand at midget racing at the age of 39 is a brave attempt, especially after having one of his worst seasons in NASCAR for almost two decades. Knowing that getting used to an entirely new format will be a challenging experience, Rowdy is leaving no stone unturned in his attempt to prepare himself for the Chili Bowl Nations next year.

Before getting behind the wheel of the No. 51 Lucas Oil/FloRacing midget, Busch shared his apprehension by saying, “Here at Rockfish, North Carolina today to get my first chance of testing in a midget. Never driven a midget before so first time for everything, I guess. Hopefully, I don’t embarrass myself.” However, after a few laps around the dirt track, the 39-year-old shared his initial experience by saying, “For a first go around, just getting used to the car, getting a feel of the car, I feel like there was a point where I got real comfortable with it.”

Having partnered with FloSports and sponsored by Lucas Oil, Rowdy will be driving a Kyle Busch Motorsports-owned midget car in the upcoming races. While the 39-year-old doesn’t have much of a reputation on dirt tracks, he’s relying on his vast motorsport experience to guide him. Even though the NASCAR season is over, the Nevada native isn’t going away from the fast lane anytime soon, as he will also be competing alongside his son Brexton Busch at the Tulsa Shootout from December 31st to January 4th. Will his off-season adventures help him rediscover his NASCAR form ahead of the 2025 campaign? Let us know in the comments!