Kyle Busch, one of NASCAR’s most high-profile drivers, is confronting a difficult chapter in his career after another devastating race at Kansas left him reeling, both physically and mentally. This past Sunday, during a tense four-wide battle with Josh Berry and Noah Gragson, Busch found his car tangled in an intense wreck, destroying his momentum and leaving his ongoing winless streak intact. For Busch, the impact was not limited to racing points or damaged equipment—he openly admits the crash reignited painful memories of his catastrophic Daytona crash years earlier, triggering symptoms of PTSD that he continues to battle.
The events in Kansas did more than add frustration to the 2025 NASCAR Cup Season for Kyle Busch. Instead, they revisited wounds that have not fully healed since the notorious accident at the 2015 Daytona 500. That incident, where Busch struck the concrete wall with brutal force, resulted in a broken right leg and months away from racing. Despite a highly celebrated comeback and his historic maiden championship title that same year, the psychological aftermath from that crash has left Busch vulnerable and uneasy, especially when reminded of similar dangers.
“I had PTSD of the Daytona crash,”
Busch admitted, describing the unsettling déjà vu he felt while barreling toward the Kansas wall.
“I was headed into the inside wall and I’m like, ‘Oh my God, this again? Like, please rudder.’”
The anxiety was clear—despite his experience and resilience, being caught in another high-speed accident forced Kyle Busch to relive the psychic toll of his years in NASCAR.
After the Kansas crash, Busch shared additional insights on the Actions Detrimental podcast with Denny Hamlin. He recounted his attempts to stay composed, explaining,
“I downshifted into second gear, and the car’s going so slow it just putts in along and then rams over the grass because I was trying to get the motor to turn back over by itself, and it just stalled right on the grass.”
Though he managed to get back into the race, his car wasn’t competitive, ultimately finishing in a disappointing 21st position. The frustration was clear as Busch described doing everything possible to minimize the fallout, only to face disappointment yet again.
For a veteran with more than 230 career wins across NASCAR’s major series and three championships, the persistent lack of victories is agonizing. Speaking recently with Fox Sport, Kyle Busch made no secret of his distress, revealing the intensity of the emotional toll.
“You live for those moments of being able to go get it and get a win and boom, we’re in the wall [and] we’re crashed. I don’t know why or what, but I’ve been rewarded 230-plus times for being able to go get it and go get the win when it comes down to it. And now it seems like I get penalized for trying.”
The underlying issues run deeper than just Busch’s on-track performance. Analysts point to systemic problems at Richard Childress Racing, noting that the team has struggled to keep pace with rival organizations since late 2023. Costly mistakes both in the pits and during races have further hurt their chances, leading to growing tension and frustration for Busch and his dedicated crew.
The ongoing string of crashes and missed opportunities has cast a shadow over Kyle Busch’s year and, more than ever, placed his emotional well-being in question. As the season continues, the pressure mounts—not just to break his winless streak, but to prove that he can overcome the psychological scars left by years of high-stakes racing. The next races will be pivotal, both for his standing in the sport and for his own journey through renewed adversity.
