working to overcome the challenges in their everyday lives. He realized the things most people take for granted are the very things that these children need; a safe home where they encouraged to learn and taught the skills to achieve their dreams.
Shortly after his visit, Kyle made the decision to start the Kyle Busch Foundation to provide assistance to organizations like St. John’s and the children who live there.
There are children’s’ homes throughout the country just like St. John’s, most of which are in need of assistance. With your help, the Kyle Busch Foundation can help make a difference in the lives of these deserving children. |
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
After driving his first career race at the age of 12, it took Kyle Busch just eight short years to reach NASCAR’s premier series, emerging as the youngest winner in its history.
Busch’s first driving lessons came at the age of 6 as he cruised the cul-de-sac of his family’s Las Vegas home in a makeshift go-kart. Although he was too small to reach the throttle, Busch still was able to pick up the basics thanks to father Tom, who controlled the gas pedal as his young son steered the kart.
Throughout his childhood, Kyle Busch spent countless hours as an apprentice to his father and older brother in the family garage learning to build and repair race cars. By the age of 10, he was a full-fledged mechanic and served as crew chief of his older brother’s dwarf car team.
In 1998, shortly after his 13th birthday, Busch’s driving career officially began, but schoolwork was always made first priority. His parents stressed accountability, so if Busch wanted to race, he was responsible for working on, repairing and paying for his own cars. He learned quickly that carelessness on the track proved costly and sometimes meant not racing the next weekend.
From 1999 through 2001, Busch earned more than 65 wins in legends cars as he racked up two track championships at Las Vegas Motor Speedway’s “Bullring” before moving to late models. Winning seemed to come naturally as the youngster captured 10 victories in late model competition at the Bullring in 2001.
Busch’s potential began to pique the interest of NASCAR team owners, and on Aug. 3, 2001, the 16-year-old driver made his NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series debut for Roush Racing at Indianapolis Raceway Park, starting 23rd and finishing an impressive ninth. Shortly afterward, an unexpected ruling by NASCAR enforced age limitations for competitors and parked Busch until his 18th birthday.
Instead of sitting idle, Busch focused his attention on the American Speed Association (ASA) circuit and ran the entire 2002 season. He proved successful once again by posting five top-five finishes and 10 top-10s in 20 starts, ending the season eighth in points. Busch also flourished in the classroom that year, graduating with honors from his hometown Durango High School one year ahead of schedule.
Busch signed with Hendrick Motorsports on Feb. 4, 2003, and found on-track success immediately. He won his first Automobile Racing Club of America (ARCA) event at Nashville (Tenn.) Superspeedway from the pole position, and posted another victory in his very next outing at Kentucky Speedway
In addition, Busch also entered seven NASCAR Busch Series races in 2003, notching a runner-up finish at Lowe’s Motor Speedway (Concord, N.C.) in his very first start. He rounded out the year with two second-place results, three top-10 finishes and five top-10 qualifying efforts.
The 2004 season started off on a high note as Busch nabbed an ARCA victory in his first-ever start on the high banks of Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway on Feb. 7. Three months later at Richmond, Va., he grabbed the first of five Busch Series victories that season in the No. 5 Chevrolets.
Busch rounded out his first full-time effort in the Busch Series with five poles, five wins, 16 top-five finishes, 22 top-10s and a runner-up result in the championship standings. The 19-year-old broke seven records on his way to becoming the youngest top rookie in series history.
To gain experience and seat time in NASCAR’s premier series, Busch qualified for six NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series races in 2004, and in October of that year was selected by team owner Rick Hendrick to replace retiring two-time Cup champion Terry Labonte in the No. 5 Chevrolets.
Busch made noise early in the 2005 season by starting first at California Speedway in just his eighth career NEXTEL Cup event to became the youngest driver in history to earn a pole position on the circuit. His first Cup victory came Sept. 4, 2005, also making him the youngest-ever winner at the Cup level.
Busch closed his rookie campaign with a late-season victory at Phoenix International Raceway, giving him two wins, one pole, nine top-five finishes, 13 top-10s, and a 20th-place effort in the championship standings. He easily earned the coveted Raybestos® Rookie of the Year award.
The 2006 season saw more success for Busch, as he and his No. 5 team compiled a pole at Phoenix and a win at New Hampshire International Speedway en route to a berth in the Chase for the NEXTEL Cup.
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