The 2009 Kyle Busch Nashville guitar smashing controversy and impact continue to resonate with NASCAR fans and participants, as Justin Allgaier recently shared his personal perspective on the event and its aftermath. The moment, which took place at Nashville Superspeedway after Busch’s Xfinity Series victory, involved the destruction of a custom Gibson Les Paul guitar, and left a lasting impression on those involved, including artist Sam Bass and fellow drivers.
Revisiting an Infamous Celebratory Moment
When Kyle Busch celebrated his 2009 win at Nashville by smashing the specially crafted trophy guitar, many saw the act as an attempt to emulate rock stars while in Victory Lane. However, not everyone shared Busch’s enthusiasm for the spectacle, including Justin Allgaier, who prefers preserving such tokens of achievement rather than destroying them for showmanship. This incident has continued to spark conversation about respect for awards and the emotions tied to their creation.
The Emotional Aftermath for Artist Sam Bass
Justin Allgaier shared that he had developed a friendship with Sam Bass, the celebrated artist who painstakingly created the unique guitar trophy, valued at roughly $25,000. Reflecting on the aftermath, Allgaier recalled the pain Bass endured after witnessing his work destroyed in a matter of seconds, despite pouring in extensive effort and passion. According to Allgaier, Bass expressed he might have prepared a decoy if he had anticipated Busch’s intentions.
“So I lived that whole Kyle Busch smashing it,”
—Justin Allgaier, NASCAR driver
“He’s like, ‘Little did I know he was going to smash that one.’ He spent 100 hours painting it. There is no way I’m ever smashing a Nashville guitar.”
—Justin Allgaier, NASCAR driver
Allgaier’s Personal Approach to Trophy Guitars
Unlike the 2009 incident, Justin Allgaier chooses to cherish his own prize guitars from his Nashville Xfinity victories. Currently, he proudly displays two guitars in his house as representations of his on-track accomplishments — symbols that remain whole, unlike the one Busch destroyed. Allgaier missed out on a third trophy in 2021 due to a close second-place finish to Busch, but despite the intensity of that race, Busch did not repeat the controversial smashing act.
“It actually works out really good,”
—Justin Allgaier, NASCAR driver
“My oldest daughter, Harper, her favorite color is green and (other daughter) Willow, her favorite color is pink and purple. So now I have a green one and a purple one. I’m like this is perfect. So I know which one’s going to which room, just like I planned it.”
—Justin Allgaier, NASCAR driver
Legacy and Continuing Discussions in NASCAR
Allgaier’s reflections, shared during his appearance on the Stacking Pennies podcast with Corey LaJoie, show that the legacy of the Kyle Busch Nashville guitar smashing incident lives on long after the race. By keeping his own trophy guitars unharmed, Allgaier honors the spirit of the award, the artistic contributions of Sam Bass, and the personal meaning these symbols carry for his family — particularly his daughters, Harper and Willow, who each have a favorite trophy color. The episode underscores how individual actions in victory lane can leave a broader mark, affecting artists, racers, and the entire NASCAR community long after the checkered flag falls.
