USA Today via Reuters
Jul 31, 2022; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver Kyle Busch (18) leaves the pits to start the Verizon 200 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Road Course. Mandatory Credit: Marc Lebryk-USA TODAY Sports
USA Today via Reuters
Jul 31, 2022; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver Kyle Busch (18) leaves the pits to start the Verizon 200 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Road Course. Mandatory Credit: Marc Lebryk-USA TODAY Sports
For most of the 2022 NASCAR Cup Series season, Kyle Busch has been the talk of the town. This is because Mars Incorporated, and by extension M&M’s, is leaving NASCAR. Naturally, this means that Busch’s immediate future in the Cup Series is in jeopardy.
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In the buildup to Sunday’s race at Watkins Glen International, he addressed the media with an update on his future.
This is definitely worth watching. It's pretty much clear that Kyle is out at JGR after this season. It's only a matter of time when we'll know where he ends up next season: Stewart-Haas, Trackhouse or somewhere else. https://t.co/rg88Pgi86L
— Mike Gradzki (@MikeGradzki) August 20, 2022
Most civilized human answer I’ve heard from him in a while. Very refreshing. I can finally relate to him, even if he is maybe in an income bracket a couple tiers away from me. It is about the special complexities of the situations of life.
— Johny LA Fever (@johnyla1) August 20, 2022
Yeah. He’s not coming back to JGR. I guess we will find out eventually.. https://t.co/F5A8UPok9k
— 🏁 Will 🏁 (@Will_JGR_18) August 20, 2022
I identify with a lot of this. I'm nowhere near as wealthy as Kyle, but getting a job is not a "If I don't find a job yesterday, we have to go live on the streets" situation. But it's still stressful. It still preoccupies my mind. We all want to do things we enjoy for money. https://t.co/CNJF0uEvCn
— Jon Doble (@JonDoble) August 20, 2022
I’ve hated KFB for a long time but man he becomes more relatable and likeable as the days goes on https://t.co/N7WHsTnkOE
— Clint Waugh (@clinthrop) August 20, 2022
He said, “It’s easy to summarize, but probably tough for some to understand.”
“Let’s be frank about it, I’m an athlete, I make a lot of money. People aren’t going to feel, and shouldn’t feel sorry for me. I’ve made a good living, and so, that’s not the premise of this answer.”
“But it’s been hard as hell. It’s been a lot of sleepless nights figuring out what your future is.”
According to Busch, people just think that he will be fine because he made a lot of money in his career. In response to that, he acknowledged that while it is true, he still wants to race because he loves it.
How did fans react to the Kyle Busch statement?
Judging by the way the 2-time Cup Series champion spoke, many believe that his time with Joe Gibbs Racing is done.
If that does happen, one has to wonder where he will end up or whether he will take a one-year sabbatical.
I want and hope that @KyleBusch gets a competitive offer and is in a good race car next year. @NASCAR will NOT be the same without him in it. Love or hate him, he is a) an incredible driver & b) a polarizing figure that helps racing thrive. Sponsors take notice 👀! #NASCAR https://t.co/ICzsHWzMVh
— Andrew Higginbotham (Higgy) (@HighSpeedHiggy) August 20, 2022
The way this was answered could also signal walking away for a year. https://t.co/wVJKgEuniv
— Phil Spain (@philenespanol) August 20, 2022
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Money means so much that the most successful driver in the field has no idea what he’s doing next year
— JeffBenzos14111 (@benzos14111) August 20, 2022
However, the biggest hurdle is the lack of a primary sponsor. It is also worth mentioning that many fans found Busch’s press conference rather calm and a little subdued.
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WATCH THIS STORY: Team Owner Joe Gibbs Vows to Confront NASCAR Over Kyle Busch Sanctions in Richmond
To be honest, it was different from his usual snarky and blunt nature, and people found him ‘civilized’ and ‘relatable’. Hopefully, Kyle Busch will be back and racing in 2023, because it would be a shame for a top driver of his caliber, to end up without a driver.
