Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Kyle Busch

Discover the career path of Kyle Busch, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.

Kyle Busch is a highly successful American stock car racing driver, currently competing in the NASCAR Cup Series for Richard Childress Racing and part-time in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series for Spire Motorsports. He is a two-time NASCAR Cup Series champion (2015, 2019) and the 2009 NASCAR Nationwide Series champion. Busch is ranked among the all-time greats in NASCAR, holding 9th place for all-time NASCAR Cup Series wins and 1st in overall wins across NASCAR's top three divisions. He is known for his skill and dominance across all three major NASCAR series. He is also the younger brother of Kurt Busch and briefly held the WWE 24/7 Championship.

Sections (5)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles

1998: Start of Driving Career

In 1998, Kyle Busch began his driving career shortly after turning 13 years old.

1999: Legends Car Racing Success

Between 1999 and 2001, Kyle Busch won over 65 races in Legends car racing, securing two track championships at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway Bullring.

2001: Transition to Late Model Racing

In 2001, Kyle Busch transitioned to late model racing and achieved 10 victories at the Bullring during that season.

2001: Ineligible to Compete at California Speedway

In 2001, Kyle Busch was deemed ineligible to compete at the Auto Club 200 at California Speedway due to his age and the Tobacco Master Settlement Agreement, despite being the fastest in practice.

2001: NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Debut

In 2001, at age 16, Kyle Busch began competing in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, driving the No. 99 Ford for Roush Racing. He achieved a 9th place finish in his debut at Indianapolis Raceway Park.

2002: NASCAR Minimum Age Requirement Implemented

In 2002, NASCAR implemented a minimum age requirement of 18 due to the Fontana incident involving Kyle Busch. In the same year, Kyle transitioned to the American Speed Association National Tour and graduated early with honors from Durango High School.

2003: Start of NASCAR Career

In 2003, Kyle Busch began his NASCAR career.

September 4, 2005: Donation to Hurricane Katrina Relief

On September 4, 2005, after winning his first Cup Series race at California, Kyle Busch and Rick Hendrick donated their winnings to the American Red Cross for Hurricane Katrina relief. This was announced on The Oprah Winfrey Show.

2005: Youngest Cup Series Pole Winner

In 2005, Kyle Busch became NASCAR's youngest-ever pole winner in a Cup Series race at California Speedway, at the age of 19 years and 317 days.

2005: Wins in All Three NASCAR Series

In 2005, Kyle Busch became the 14th of 36 drivers to win a race in each of NASCAR's three national series.

2006: Youngest Driver to Qualify for the Chase

In 2006, Kyle Busch became the youngest driver to qualify for the Chase for the Sprint Cup.

2006: Establishment of Kyle Busch Foundation

In 2006, Kyle Busch established the Kyle Busch Foundation to support underprivileged children.

2008: Harvick's TD Bank 250 win

In 2008, Kevin Harvick won the TD Bank 250. Kyle Busch won it in 2011, becoming the second active NASCAR Cup Series driver to win the race, after Kevin Harvick.

2008: First Toyota Win in Cup Series

In 2008, Kyle Busch achieved a historical milestone as the first driver to win a race in a Toyota in the Cup Series, claiming victory at Atlanta Motor Speedway.

2008: Canceled Toyota F1 Test Drive

In 2008, Kyle Busch had to cancel a scheduled test drive of a Toyota F1 car due to his obligation to attend the 2008 Nationwide Series banquet.

2008: "Kyle's Miles" Program Launch

In 2008, Kyle Busch launched the "Kyle's Miles" program in partnership with Pedigree to support dogs in shelters and breed rescue organizations.

December 2009: Snowball Derby Win

In December 2009, Kyle Busch won the 42nd Snowball Derby at Five Flags Speedway in Pensacola, Florida.

2009: 2009 Cup Series Champion

In 2009 Jimmie Johnson won the cup series championship.

2009: Double Win at Auto Club Speedway

In 2009, Kyle Busch became the first driver to win two top-tier NASCAR races on the same day at Auto Club Speedway.

2009: WWE Raw Guest Hosting

In 2009, Kyle Busch guest hosted WWE Raw.

2009: First Win at Richmond

In 2009, Kyle Busch started a streak of four consecutive spring race wins at Richmond International Raceway.

2009: Crown Royal 400 Victory on Birthday

In 2009, Kyle Busch won the Crown Royal Presents the Russell Friedman 400 at Richmond International Raceway on his 24th birthday.

2009: NASCAR Nationwide Series Championship

In 2009, Kyle Busch won the NASCAR Nationwide Series championship, marking a significant career milestone.

2010: 2010 Cup Series Champion

In 2010 Jimmie Johnson won the cup series championship.

2010: Kyle Busch Motorsports Truck Series Debut

In 2010, Kyle Busch Motorsports debuted in the Truck Series.

2010: Kyle Busch Motorsports' Debut Season Success

In 2010, Kyle Busch Motorsports won the owners' championship in its inaugural season in the Truck Series.

2010: Most Wins in a Season

In 2010, Kyle Busch achieved a NASCAR record for the most wins in a season across the top three series, with a total of 24 wins. He also set the record for most wins in a season in the Xfinity Series with 13.

2010: Wins in All Three Series in One Weekend

In 2010, Kyle Busch became the first driver to win races in all three of NASCAR's top series in the same weekend at Bristol.

July 10, 2011: Slinger Nationals Victory

On July 10, 2011, Kyle Busch won the 32nd annual Slinger Nationals at Slinger Speedway in Wisconsin.

2011: 2011 Cup Series Champion

In 2011 Tony Stewart won the cup series championship.

2011: Kyle Busch Motorsports Xfinity Series Debut

In 2011, Kyle Busch became the owner of Kyle Busch Motorsports, a race team that competed in the Xfinity Series.

2011: Inaugural Win at Kentucky Speedway

In 2011, Kyle Busch was the inaugural winner of the first Cup Series race at Kentucky Speedway.

June 2012: Prelude to the Dream Win

In June 2012, Kyle Busch won the eighth annual Prelude to the Dream at Eldora Speedway, defeating Tony Stewart.

2012: 2012 Cup Series Champion

In 2012 Brad Keselowski won the cup series championship.

2012: Fourth Win at Richmond

In 2012, Kyle Busch completed a streak of four consecutive spring race wins at Richmond International Raceway.

July 2013: Howie Lettow Memorial 150 Win

In July 2013, Kyle Busch dominated the Howie Lettow Memorial 150 at the Milwaukee Mile, leading every practice session, setting the fastest qualifying time, and winning the race.

2013: 2013 Cup Series Champion

In 2013 Jimmie Johnson won the cup series championship.

2013: Kyle Busch Motorsports Xfinity Series End

In 2013, Kyle Busch Motorsports' participation in the Xfinity Series concluded.

2014: 2014 Cup Series Champion

In 2014 Kevin Harvick won the cup series championship.

2015: 2015 Cup Series Champion

In 2015 Kyle Busch won the cup series championship.

2015: Cup Championship Win

Kyle Busch secured the 2015 Cup Championship.

2016: 2016 Cup Series Champion

In 2016 Jimmie Johnson won the cup series championship.

December 2017: Second Snowball Derby Win

In December 2017, Kyle Busch secured his second Snowball Derby victory.

2017: 2017 Cup Series Champion

In 2017 Martin Truex Jr. won the cup series championship.

2017: Repeat Feat at Bristol

In 2017, Kyle Busch repeated his 2010 feat by winning races in all three of NASCAR's top series in the same weekend at Bristol.

2018: 2018 Cup Series Champion

In 2018 Joey Logano won the cup series championship.

December 2, 2019: WWE Appearance and 24/7 Championship Win

On December 2, 2019, Kyle Busch appeared on WWE Raw, briefly winning the WWE 24/7 Championship by pinning R-Truth, with Michael Waltrip as guest referee. This event was a cross-promotion between NBC Sports and NASCAR's awards banquet.

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2019: 2019 Cup Series Champion

In 2019 Kyle Busch won the cup series championship.

2019: Rowdy Energy Founded

In 2019, Kyle Busch and Jeff Church founded Rowdy Energy, an energy drink company based in Del Mar, California.

2019: Second NASCAR Cup Series Championship

In 2019, Kyle Busch secured his second NASCAR Cup Series championship, further cementing his legacy.

2019: Consecutive Top-Ten Finishes

In 2019, Kyle Busch tied the record for consecutive top-ten finishes to start a season, matching Morgan Shepherd's streak of 11.

January 2020: First Batch of Rowdy Energy Produced

In January 2020, the first batch of Rowdy Energy was produced, with ten flavors available online, including seven sugar-free, Keto-certified options. These drinks contained 60% less sugar than other popular energy drinks.

2020: 2020 Xfinity Series Champion

In 2020 Austin Cindric won the Xfinity Series championship.

2020: 24 Hours of Daytona Participation

In 2020, Kyle Busch competed in the 24 Hours of Daytona with AIM Vasser Sullivan, driving a Lexus RC F GT3, and finished ninth in the GTD class and 26th overall.

2020: Rowdy Energy Branding at Daytona and Sponsorships

In 2020, Rowdy Energy branding appeared at the 24 Hours of Daytona, on Kyle Busch's Daytona 500 helmet, and in various sponsorships including Formula D driver Ken Gushi and races like the Southern Super Series' Rowdy Energy Twin 100s.

November 2021: Nitrocross Debut

In November 2021, Kyle Busch competed in the Nitrocross race weekend at Firebird Motorsports Park, placing fourth in the Supercar Final.

December 2021: Mu0026M's/Mars Sponsorship Ends

In December 2021, Mu0026M's/Mars announced they would end their primary sponsorship with Kyle Busch and Joe Gibbs Racing after the 2022 season.

2021: 2021 Xfinity Series Champion

In 2021 Daniel Hemric won the Xfinity Series championship.

September 13, 2022: Signs with Richard Childress Racing

On September 13, 2022, Kyle Busch announced that he had signed a multi-year contract with Richard Childress Racing, beginning in 2023.

2022: Most Laps Led at Daytona 500 Without a Win

As of the completion of the 2022 Daytona 500, Kyle Busch holds the record for the most lifetime laps led in the history of the race, leading 324 laps, without ever securing a victory in the event.

2022: 2022 Cup Series Champion

In 2022 Joey Logano won the cup series championship.

2023: 2023 Xfinity Series Champion

In 2023 Cole Custer won the Xfinity Series championship.

2023: Kyle Busch Motorsports Truck Series End

In 2023, Kyle Busch Motorsports concluded its participation in the Truck Series.

2023: Joins Richard Childress Racing

In 2023, Kyle Busch began racing with Richard Childress Racing after signing a multi-year contract.

2023: Superstar Racing Experience (SRX) Wins

In 2023, Kyle Busch participated in the Superstar Racing Experience (SRX), winning at Motor Mile Speedway on July 27 and Berlin Raceway on August 3. He went 2-for-2 in the series.

2023: Consecutive Seasons With a Win

In 2023, Kyle Busch's victory at Auto Club Speedway set a record for most consecutive seasons with a win at 19 seasons.

January 10, 2024: Rowdy Energy Ceases Operations

On January 10, 2024, Kyle Busch announced that Rowdy Energy had ceased operations and closed its doors in the following weeks.

April 12, 2024: All-Time Wins in NASCAR

As of April 12, 2024, Kyle Busch holds the record for the most all-time wins in all three national NASCAR series, with a total of 231 wins.

November 14, 2024: Chili Bowl Nationals Announcement

On November 14, 2024, Kyle Busch announced that he would run the Chili Bowl Nationals in January 2025.

2024: 2024 Cup Series Champion

In 2024 Joey Logano won the cup series championship.

January 2025: Chili Bowl Nationals Participation

In January 2025, Kyle Busch participated in the Chili Bowl Nationals but failed to qualify for the D-feature after finishing 15th in the second F-feature.