The Best: Remembering Rowdy

Writing my typical Best of the Rest for last weekend does not quite feel right this week. Instead, I would like to take this time to  honor the memory of, and reminisce, on the driver known to many as “Rowdy”.  May 21st, 2026 will be one of those dates now that is not easily forgotten.

The irony of Kyle Busch winning what would come to be his last race last weekend in Dover’s Craftsman Truck event is not lost, who would have thought a week later myself and many others across motorsports would be honoring the memory and impact of such a prolific personality. In post-race following Dover, Kyle was quoted as saying ” because you never know when that last one is” as his #7 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet sat in Victory Lane. Little did anyone know what would follow in the coming days.

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A brash 16-year old who made his truck debut in 2001, made an impact from day one. Due to Busch’s age at the time, NASCAR upped the minimum age to compete at a national level to 18. What began as a somewhat controversial NASCAR career, slowly evolved through the years into Busch becoming one of the best to put on a helmet, although often not without some controversy and run-ins in various seasons.

A reputation as a take no prisoners racer, became one of the most respected drivers and team owners in the garage. As a team owner, Kyle Busch single handedly gave many young prospects their starts over the years. Corey Heim, Noah Gragson, Erik Jones, Christopher Bell, and many more have seen seat time in Kyle Busch Motorsports equipment. Many of these drivers now make up a good portion of the typical Cup field on Sundays.

As a driver in the trucks, Busch would ultimately end his career with a record-setting 69 wins over the course of 24 years. His O’Reilly Series resume is equally impressive, scoring 102 wins in 21 years, dating back to 2003.

As a driver, the two-time Cup Series champion drove for some of the biggest and best in the garage. Beginning his young Cup career with Hendrick Motorsports, Busch would eventually move on to Joe Gibbs Racing where he would experience most of his success. Claiming both series championships with JGR, Busch would eventually move on to Richard Childress Racing in 2023, where his lifetime commitment to racing continues to have an impact.

All told, Rowdy would amass 762 career starts, 63 wins, and two series championships in 2015 and 2019. His biggest impact on the Cup level however, cannot be measured in numbers. A driver known for pushing people and equipment  to their absolute best on a weekly basis, Busch would fill the void left so many years ago as someone that fans loved to hate, but also respected. This void now exists again, and the landscape of NASCAR in general has been shaken to its core. 

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The question now comes, on typically what would be one of the biggest and most anticipated motorsports weekends of the season…where do we go from here? 

While the shock, sadness, and search for answers is still very much at the front of everyone’s minds, it is important to remember what Rowdy would have wanted. The focus now should slowly shift to racing in the memory of one the best to hit turn one at Daytona so many years ago, and making sure Rowdy’s efforts and time were not in vain. 

This weekend and going forward, the iconic #8 that adorned Busch’s Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet, will switch to #33, as that same stylized number 8 that Busch had such a deep hand in designing awaits Kyle’s son, Brexton when the time is right.

A dedicated father, racer, and human being to his cause, Rowdy will be missed. As said before though, now is the time to make sure that energy and dedication to what he loved does not get lost in time….Busch’s presence will forever exist within the turns and garages of all motorsports.

RIP Rowdy…you will be missed far more then words can ever express.