Kyle Busch, the famed two-time Cup Series champion, has outlined his bold goals as he nears the closing chapters of his NASCAR career. Now 40, Busch recently shared that before he retires, he hopes to surpass the legendary Dale Earnhardt Sr.’s win tally of 76, cementing his spot as eighth on the all-time most Cup Series wins list, and to finally claim a coveted Daytona 500 victory. Speaking candidly on Denny Hamlin’s Actions Detrimental podcast, Busch laid out what he wants to achieve before stepping away from racing, making it clear his ambitions remain sky-high.
When asked directly about his future in NASCAR and what milestones motivate him, Kyle Busch didn’t hesitate. “Daytona 500 obviously,” Busch remarked, underscoring just how much that particular trophy would mean to him. Despite his many achievements, the Daytona 500 win continues to elude him, adding urgency and intrigue to the remainder of his racing years. Busch added,
“If I was to retire yesterday, I don’t know if that means anything. I would love to have that trophy, that accolade.”
In his reflections, Busch also discussed his ideal timeline for his NASCAR career going forward. Considering four to five more years on the track, he said,
“If I can get above 70 (wins), for me that would be perfect.”
This target, he explained, would be a personal milestone, tailored to both competitive drive and alignment with his son Brexton’s possible future in the sport.
Kyle Busch wasn’t shy about the difficulties of achieving these aims in the current racing environment, offering a critique of the challenges posed by the NextGen cars and chaotic race finishes. He noted,
“With the world we live in with this NextGen car and racing and everyone wrecking on final restarts and all this BS, if you can have a three or four race-win season and make it to the Championship 8, that is a good season. The icing gets put on the cake when you make it to the Final 4 and then you [blow out] the candle if you’re the champion.”
The significance of Kyle Busch’s quest cannot be overstated. Although his last Cup Series win came in 2023 at the Enjoy Illinois 300, Busch’s aspirations inject drama and anticipation into the NASCAR scene, especially as he nears a 70-race-winless streak if he does not claim victory at the upcoming Coca-Cola 600. For fans and fellow drivers alike, all eyes are on whether Kyle Busch can fulfill these bold goals before retirement, surpassing a racing icon and capturing the elusive Daytona 500 glory that would mark the climax of a remarkable career.
