If there is a NASCAR driver who needs to unwind, it is definitely Kyle Busch. The Cup Series legend has not exactly had the most excellent season, given a multitude of failures. He landed himself the fewest top-fives (5), top-tens (10), and laps led (230) in his career. Also, his average finish (18.3) was the worst since his rookie year (21.0, 2005). So the Richard Childress Racing driver really needs that time off.
And Kyle Busch is on that mission already. While diligently preparing for his Chili Bowl national debut, he is spending quality time with his family. With a beautiful wife and two lovely children, Busch is heading out to the beach for a cozy holiday. This might soothe this year’s painful battle a bit.
Kyle Busch is in vacation mode
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Rowdy was already turning over a new leaf in Kansas. That race was particularly depressing for Kyle Busch – he was leading until a late-race caution dropped him to 19th. Afterward, he said he felt ‘numb.’ He somehow slogged through the postseason and is now looking forward to a new venture. The 39-year-old Cup veteran ran in USAC National Midget events at Bakersfield Speedway on November 26 and Ventura Raceway on November 30. That was a warm-up for his upcoming Chili Bowl Nationals venture set to be held from January 13 to January 18, 2025, at the SageNet Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
But for now, Kyle Busch is diverting his energy toward the West Coast. The 63-time Cup race winner turned in solid hours of practice for his dirt venture – Kyle Busch recently tested at Rockfish Speedway to get more comfortable with the car. Now Rowdy is ready to hit the beach with Samantha and munchkins Brexton and Lennix. He recently posted on Instagram: “This week was a lot of learning, and getting a feel for the car in prep for Chili Bowl. Had a good time on the west coast but ready to chill w the fam and celebrate the holidays.”
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Samantha Busch also dropped an update on the Busch family’s vacation. She captioned, “Life on the west coast ❤️.” The sweet sea waves and sandy beaches should rejuvenate the senses, which the 231 NASCAR national series race winner ardently needs for 2025. First off, he will seek to join an elite group of Cup drivers who have won the Chilli Bowl. That list includes 2-time Cup champion Tony Stewart, 2020 champion Kyle Larson, and other drivers like Christopher Bell, Rico Abreu, Bryan Clauson, and Tracy Hines. Piloting the No. 51 Midget with sponsorship from NASCAR Cup Series partner Lucas Oil and the race’s exclusive streaming partner, FloRacing, Busch hopes to make a splash in the very first month of 2025.
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Yet Rowdy has unfinished business in the Cup Series, as his solid determination shows.
Busch is eager for a thumping return
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Over the course of two decades, Kyle Busch stamped himself as a surefire Hall of Famer. Since his rookie campaign in 2005, Busch scored at least one win per season, and as many as eight two times (2008, 2018). During his tenures at Hendrick Motorsports and Joe Gibbs Racing, Busch was at his peak. He picked up 60 wins and two championships (2015, 2019). Although his stint at RCR turned sour after 2023, Busch hopes to turn that around. Several management shuffles occurred in the team for this purpose. For instance, former Stewart-Haas Racing leaders John Klausmeier and Richard Boswell have joined the ranks.
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What is most important, Kyle Busch hopes to harness energy from his sustained success over the years. He clarified his ‘do or die’ attitude after the 2024 season ended. “I would have much rather it been — if I’m going to run six, seven more years — it last 25, 26 years, and just make it a mark that will never be achievable, right?” Busch understands his situation: “But unfortunately, those things didn’t happen. Things changed for me a couple years ago, and I was grateful to be able to extend the streak last year and make it my own. But honestly, for there being guys that are at 17 (years) and one guy was at 18, and now one guy at 19, it’s hard to put that many good years like that together in a row.”
Evidently, Kyle Busch is seeking to hold on to his flame of glory. As 2025 rolls into view, let us see if Rowdy can mesmerize us with his new ventures.
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Is Kyle Busch's vacation the calm before a storming comeback in the NASCAR scene?
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