After Losing NASCAR Dream to $14.5 Million Heartbreak, Kyle Busch Discloses Son Brexton’s Future in Racing

Kyle Busch wants his NASCAR legacy to stretch well beyond his racing days in the sport. The first effort to make this vision a reality was the foundation of his racing team in the Truck Series, named Kyle Busch Motorsports. This brainchild of Busch got rolling in 2010 and helped him build a brand of his own. The team allowed him to continue his dominant run in the Truck Series while he traded blows with Cup drivers on a full-time basis.

However, after more than a decade of racing and success stories like Erik Jones and Christopher Bell winning the championship, KBM had to shut its doors. It was a passion project that could aid Busch’s son, Brexton’s rise to NASCAR stage. But he had to make the tough call owing to his change in priorities and sell the company to Spire Motorsports for $14.5 million. So, what’s next, and what is the road map for Brexton to follow in his father’s footsteps? It looks like Kyle Busch has this figured out.

Kyle Busch reveals his plans to help Brexton get his major breakthrough in NASCAR

Brexton began his racing career at the age of five in the Beginner Box Stock division at Millbridge Speedway and Mountain Creek Speedway. In 2023, he had more than 30 race wins to his name across different disciplines like Outlaw Karts, Bandoleros, and Restricted Micros. This year he even got his first win at the Charlotte Motor Speedway.

Currently, Brexton is restricted to Micro Sprint cars and Bandoleros. But once he’s of age, he will be participating in the CARS Tour and eventually making his Truck debut when he’s 16. Sharing the road map of his son’s racing journey, Rowdy explained, “I don’t feel like he’s got enough road course stuff yet. So we need to do some karting, and we’re going to do some of that this offseason and work with Greg Ives and Max Papis and some of those guys who have done a lot already with their kids. There’s a road racing series, Trans Am TA2, and he’ll probably get into some of that at 14.” He said this while speaking to Jeff Gluck.

Rowdy mentioned that he would like Brexton to stick to the dirt and the asphalt racing. “I want to keep him on the dirt and asphalt realm; I don’t feel like you should go one way or the other. I like what we’re doing right now. He gets in his Bandolero car and he knows what he’s got to do on pavement; he gets into his dirt car and he knows what he’s got to do on dirt. So I really like that. We’ll probably stick with some of that mixture. And then by 16, he’ll be ready for some Trucks.”

This looks like a solid plan and one that could see Kyle Busch retire from competitive. While they lost the KBM to Spire, the team can still help get Brexton his debut Truck Series run. Moreover, it would also allow Rowdy to take a backseat and call it quits from the competitive side of NASCAR racing.

What are Rowdy’s post-retirement plans?

At 39, Busch certainly can count down the years he can continue to race at the competitive level. Once a serial winner and championship contending driver has hit new lows in 2024, even failing to make the playoffs with RCR. There are a number of reasons behind his decline in performances. It could be his painful exit from JGR, a new environment at Richard Childress Racing, the Next Gen car, or just dumb luck. While he plans to keep on racing till his Brexton makes it to the Trucks debut, his current woes could force his early retirement.

Although he might be tempted to try his luck in the media space, following in the footsteps of Dale Jr. and Kevin Harvick, he’s got his priorities straight. Which is to look after his son’s racing career and enjoy his retirement days racing on dirt. “I also enjoy (9-year-old son) Brexton racing, and I want to be a part of that as well. I enjoy the dirt track aspect of that, being able to get out there and go race at the tracks where he’s racing. So as long as it fits within a schedule — I don’t want to stretch myself too much and put myself out there where I overcommit.”

The 2024 season isn’t over for Rowdy, he is still on the hunt for his 20th-year win streak. And he only has five races to better his own record. Meanwhile, a Daytona 500 win is still on his bucket list and one he would like to tick off before he hangs up his boots from NASCAR racing.