Kyle Busch’s biggest worry now might be securing a win in the Cup Series! Jokes aside, despite a 19-year streak of winning a race every season being broken in 2024, Kyle Busch’s dominance in motorsports is unparalleled. A two-time NASCAR Cup Series champion (2015, 2019) with 63 wins—most among active drivers—he ranks ninth on the all-time wins list. Busch also holds records for victories in the NASCAR Xfinity Series (102) and NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series (66), amassing 231 wins across NASCAR’s national series. However, his prowess is primarily on asphalt, with only recent ventures in the dirt world.

Dirt racing was never on Busch’s radar until his son Brexton sparked his interest. He took part at the Millbridge Speedway in 2024 along with Brexton as they secured the win there, and Busch also joked about it being his only win of the year. Then in 2025, Buch was supporting Brexton at the Tulsa Shootout while picking up a couple of heat race wins himself. This not only fueled his son’s passion which led to the young gun securing his first Golden Driller, but it also prepared Busch for his debut at the 39th Chili Bowl Nationals.

Kyle Busch has some doubts on the track

There aren’t many delusions about the fact that dirt racing is very different from the kind of racing Kyle Busch is used to. The tracks and cars are different which tends to add to the complexity even for seasoned drivers like Kyle Busch. Busch’s experience with midget cars is limited and that is what acts as a deterrent. However, Busch had some doubts about the kerbs increasing throughout the week. Kerbs are designed in NASCAR to prevent drivers from cutting corners and keeping them safe, however, in midget racing this becomes a little more tricky.

Kyle Busch said to FloRacing, “See, each night that progresses,  last night being a kerb, earlier there wasn’t much of a kerb. You can kinda run up there with a smaller kerb. That’s my biggest worry. I have never run with that. I have never had to run with that. When we were at Ventura, or we were at Bakersfield, the track you know, you can kinda get up to the marbly stuff but it wasn’t really a kerb.”

NASCAR tracks do have kerbs but they have been reduced in size over the years due to complaints from drivers of the immense pain while driving over them. However, a stock car is more absorbent to such a jolt, meanwhile, a midget car is very delicate, and losing control in the slightest could lead to catastrophic results. Most experienced midget drivers can handle this level of imbalance, however, as experienced as Busch is, this is still a daunting task for him as he is still new to midget racing.

Speaking of Bakersfield, Busch debuted in the USAC NOS Energy Drink Midget National Championship at Bakersfield Speedway’s 1/3-mile dirt oval in California in 2024. This was during the eighth annual November Classic which eventually was held postponed by rain. Sharing the stage with fellow NASCAR Cup driver Kyle Larson, Busch’s early performance showcased promise. Driving the #51 car for Kyle Busch Motorsports, he displayed impressive speed. He was also able to showcase control during practice, receiving his own praise for the car’s setup.

However, the race unfolded differently. Initially leading during heat #2, Busch’s car dramatically lost power. This happened as he moved forth into the Turn 2 with seven laps remaining. Flames erupted from the exhaust of his Lucas #51 midget as it faltered. This left Busch with no option but to bow out. Analysts attributed the failure to a potential mechanical issue.

However, Busch’s run to start the Chili Bowl was quite impressive. In the heat race, he started in 7th and salvaged a 2nd place finish, sitting third overall, amassing 118 points. However, in the qualifier on Friday evening, Busch started in fourth but could only muster up a 7th place finish. Then he moved on to the B-Main where he started in first but struggled once again and ended up in 7th place. Busch will race in the alphabet soup race on Saturday for a second chance at qualifying. Despite falling short, his impressive starts and qualifying are a testament to rigorous preparation with an experienced crew chief.

Busch came well-prepared for the Chili Bowl Nationals 

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Even though Kyle Busch isn’t the one who has been characterized with midget racing for the longest time, he does have a sportsman attitude. When he prepares for something, he likes to give it his all, just like he did for the Chili Bowl Nationals. To ensure that his preparation was one of its kind, Busch hired Al Scroggins, one of the most well-known dirt race crew chiefs to help him maneuver through the preparation process. 

He even built his very own midget car that has been subjected to modifications after each practice session. Speaking of the guidance he has received from Scroggins, Busch said, “He (Scroggins) has been in this world for so long and knows everything and so much about these cars. He has worked with some of the top-tier talents that have been through the midget ranks”. 

Speaking of the kind of experience and autonomy that Scroggins brings to the track, Busch said, “I figured I’ve got one of the best guys that knows how to put them together and do it with, so let’s go do it ourselves and not have to worry about being a part of a 16-car team and not really getting the attention that we need”. Will Busch be able to maintain the kind of dominance he showcased during the heat race? Well, only time will reveal that and till then, Busch fans need to embrace themselves.