“We Hated Each Other, I Avoided Eye Contact” – Kyle Busch Once Opened Up About His Explosive Relationship With Dale Earnhardt Jr

Kyle Busch and Dale Earnhardt Jr. competed against each other at the highest level of NASCAR for more than a decade. The two drivers shared an “interesting relationship” to say the least. While their rivalry wasn’t as violent or ferocious as Busch has had with others in NASCAR, there was a time when tension between the two was really high.

Speaking on the rivalry, Busch said “So in 2008, 2009, 2010, and 2011, we hated each other you know. We really didn’t talk a whole lot. I avoided eye contact and all that sort of stuff… But you know [Dale] Junior over time he got a girlfriend, got married, and then we were are NASCAR driver functions together so we started talking, the wives started talking.“

“We were cordial with each other but we weren’t, we lived in Mooresville, necessarily going to text each other “Hey you want to go to dinner together tonight”. You know but it just kind of got over it together. I don’t know what the turning point was, it just kind of evolved,” said Busch.

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The two seemed to have improved their ties as Busch said. Their rivalry was one to watch for fans and will be remembered for long after.

Dale Jr retired, but Kyle Busch is still going strong

Dale Jr retired from the Cup Series in 2017. However, Busch continues to race full-time in NASCAR.

He recently signed a new contract to join Richard Childress Racing. There was a ‘fight’ for his signature between RCR and 23XI Racing. Busch went for the former as they offered him a long-term contract.

He was also made one of the highest-paid drivers on the circuits as a result of the new deal. It is reported that with the salary terms being so high, sponsors of RCR have agreed to pitch in.

Kyle was also the subject of rumors regarding Aston Martin’s 4th seat in the IndyCar 500. However quite controversially, owner Zak Brown found him too inexperienced for the event and dropped the idea.

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While Busch’s rivalry with Jr had a happy ending, it will be interesting to see if his equations with Joey Logano and Brad Keselowski sees any positive change.