Kyle Busch made headlines in 2023 when he sold the assets of Kyle Busch Motorsports to Spire Motorsports, marking a pivotal moment in his career and in the world of NASCAR. The sale included not only the racing team but also the massive 77,000-square-foot Mooresville, North Carolina facility that had housed his successful operation. After concluding the season, Busch decided to suspend the operations of both his racing team and Rowdy Manufacturing, sending ripples throughout the motorsports community and prompting widespread speculation about his motivations and next steps.
For many observers, the decision came as a surprise. Kyle Busch had built a reputation for running a dominant and competitive team, particularly in the Truck Series. Since taking over the Mooresville shop, Spire Motorsports has experienced significant growth, expanding their efforts across both the Cup Series and the Truck Series. Notably, Busch has continued to race with Spire on occasion, making high-profile starts in their trucks and keeping a presence in the garage even as his direct involvement in management has shifted.
On a recent episode of the podcast Door Bumper Clear, Kyle Busch spoke candidly about the experience of selling his team and the emotions that accompanied his decision.
I still kind of miss those days. You know, I do miss the camaraderie and those people. Those guys that were always there, every single day, working to make that company as strong as it was, and competitive and dominant in the Truck Series,
Busch reflected. He also acknowledged the value of past partnerships, adding,
Miss working with the Toyota guys as well, on that front, but just kind of came to a point where it was starting to look a little bit grimmer on sustainability.
Describing how the deal with Spire Motorsports came together, Kyle Busch shared,
I was like, ‘You know what? This might be the time to just kind of say, Hey, if there’s anybody out there, you know, come take it.’ And then, all of a sudden, a knock on the door from the Spire guys. They were like, ‘Yeah, we need your shop. We want to put a Cup team in there. We want to put three Cup teams in there. We want to run the Truck Series out of there. Well, we want to run five trucks out of there.’
Busch admitted that he initially doubted the feasibility of Spire’s ambitious plans for the space, saying,
I’m like, Guys, there’s not enough room for all of that.’ So, they made it work, somehow, some way. But it is certainly full over there.
Despite stepping back from day-to-day team management, Kyle Busch remains connected to racing in meaningful ways. He continues to participate in up to five Truck Series events each year for Spire, a personal highlight that serves as a link to his competitive spirit.
The chassis shop was always great. Those guys are amazing. Build real, fast trucks. I still get to go run my five truck races a year, which is fun. I got to run Atlanta, won that one. Coming up here shortly, I’ll run North Wilkesboro, Charlotte, Nashville, and then Watkins Glen, as well,
he shared, underscoring his ongoing passion for competition.
Looking ahead, uncertainty surrounds what the future may hold for Kyle Busch. With rumors suggesting a possible move to Spire Motorsports’ Cup Series team once his stint at Richard Childress Racing concludes, speculation continues to build. What is certain, though, is that Kyle Busch’s impact on NASCAR remains substantial, and any decision he makes will draw significant attention from fans and industry insiders alike. As long as Rowdy continues to race, his legacy and influence will shape the sport’s present and future.
