Kyle Busch: A 28-year timeline of one of NASCAR's most fearsome competitors
Kyle Busch, a generational racing talent, NASCAR fan favorite and sometimes lightning rod for his unyielding driving style, died at age 41 on Thursday . Earlier Thursday, Busch withdrew from this weekend’s Coca-Cola 600 with what was reportedly “a severe illness. ” In all, he won 263 races in various NASCAR touring series, including 63 at the Cup level where he also claimed two series championships.
Tributes for “Rowdy” as he was affectionately known have been pouring in since his death was announced. Here is a look back at his racing life: 1998 Busch gets his start in Legends car racing at the age of 13. Over the next three years he would win 65 events and two track championships at his home circuit of Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
2001 Busch transitions to late-model racing and eventually gets a shot in the then-NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series at 16 years old. He made his NCTS debut at Indianapolis Raceway Park for Roush Racing where he placed ninth in his first race. However, NASCAR instituted a minimum age requirement of 18 years old in time for the 2002 season, which put his professional career on hold.
2003 Famed Hendrick Motorsports signs Busch to a development deal in the second-tier (Anheuser) Busch Series. Shortly after turning 18 on May 2, he began a run of seven races for NEMCO Motorsports, including a pair of runner-up finishes. 2004 In his rookie season the newly branded Xfinity Series, Busch wins Rookie of the Year honors and finishes just second in the point standings to Martin Truex Jr.
In all he won five Xfinity races that season and led more laps than any other driver. 2005 A quick promotion to the Cup Series to drive the No. 5 Kellogg’s entry for Hendrick sees similar success follow.
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