Kyle Larson has publicly expressed admiration for the Kyle Busch racing career path, highlighting how Busch’s son Brexton is carving out a remarkable journey of his own on dirt tracks nationwide. This evolving narrative, set against the high-octane backdrop of Millbridge Speedway and other venues, underscores a significant generational shift in American racing as young Brexton fuses tradition with innovation.
A New Chapter for the Busch Family on Dirt
When Kyle Busch and his nine-year-old son, Brexton Busch, signed up to compete against each other in a micro sprint race at North Carolina’s Millbridge Speedway, it signaled more than just family rivalry—it marked the rise of a young athlete aiming to equal or surpass the legacy established by his father. Kyle Larson, never one to mince words, predicted,
“Brexton is going to smoke him.”
—Kyle Larson, NASCAR Cup Champion. His comment captured both the humor and tension as Brexton takes on the very racing path that shaped legends.
The blueprint guiding Brexton’s career, which closely resembles the journey of Kyle Larson, is anything but accidental. Busch has carefully plotted his son’s early ventures, initiating him on dirt tracks before steering toward pavement, Legends cars, Late Models, and perhaps someday the elite Cup Series. This combination of hands-on experience and adept mentoring has already borne fruit: in 2025, Brexton clinched the Jr. Sprint A-Main championship at the prestigious Tulsa Shootout, leading flag-to-flag to claim the golden driller. Adding to his reputation, he now competes in Late Models on both dirt and asphalt, amassing victories rather than simply riding his father’s coattails.
Larson Recognizes a Shift in Racing Paradigms
Kyle Larson recognizes a familiar narrative in Brexton’s progression, relating the young driver’s dirt racing roots to his own rise through the ranks. In an interview with Marty Smith, Larson reflected,
“I respect Kyle Busch so much, like I always have. And then now, like, seeing his son Brexton, you know, racing all these different types of cars and really putting a big emphasis on the dirt racing—and the background that I exactly grew up doing—I think it’s really cool.”
—Kyle Larson, NASCAR Cup Champion. This respect is well deserved, given Larson’s own accolades, which include three Chili Bowl wins, multiple Knoxville Nationals titles, and a 2021 Cup Series championship.
The “dirt-first” route was once unconventional for aspiring NASCAR drivers, but figures like Jeff Gordon and Tony Stewart helped legitimize it. Gordon’s early years in quarter midgets and USAC races delivered him to national stardom, while Stewart became a force across sprint cars, IndyCar, and ultimately the stock car scene. In the same spirit, the Busch family’s latest approach combines the tenacity of the old school with the versatility demanded by modern racing.
Kyle Busch traveled a distinct path, preferring the pavement—maturing in Legends and Late Models before conquering Xfinity (with a 2009 championship), Trucks (2005 champion), and his ascent to the Cup Series. Kurt Busch, Kyle’s brother, launched into Cup action in 2001, tallying the 2004 Cup Series title and logging a 23-year career that included 780 starts, 34 wins, and a 2026 Hall of Fame induction. Their pioneering paths laid the foundation for Brexton’s journey, even as he fuses their legacy with Larson’s dirt-based style.
Blending Traditions to Forge a New Racing Identity
Although the Busch brothers proved their mettle by taking the asphalt route to NASCAR glory, their younger protégé is charting a path closer to Larson’s roots. Larson observed,
“Because, yeah, Kyle Busch—like, he grew up the pavement route. And you’d think that him and his brother—you know, two champions of our sport—like, they had, they know the path. Like, they lived it; they’ve done it. They know the path of the Cup Series.”
—Kyle Larson, NASCAR Cup Champion. Brexton’s journey now strikes a delicate balance between the Busch clan’s asphalt mastery and the raw, unfiltered challenge presented by dirt–track competition.
This innovative, hybrid approach represents more than just a tactical decision by his father; it’s a meaningful shift in how future stars are cultivated. As young drivers look for every edge, many are returning to racing’s grassroots for crucial skills and adaptability. Brexton is one of several rising competitors who embody this blending of approaches, with Larson remarking,
“And then now, Kyle has a son, a young racer of his own, and that path doesn’t look anything similar to what he did. And it looks a lot more similar to what I did. It’s really cool.”
—Kyle Larson, NASCAR Cup Champion.
It’s not just about legacy—Brexton’s ascent signals a broader evolution in the sport, inspiring peers and veterans alike. Larson’s observations extend beyond one family:
“And that’s something that I respect a lot and admire. And it’s not—I’m not just picking out Brexton—but yes, I have noticed, you know, a lot of other young kids and even competitors that I’m racing with now, you know, trying to get more dirt racing in their, you know, bucket of skills and stuff. So yeah, that’s cool. It definitely makes me proud.”
—Kyle Larson, NASCAR Cup Champion. A community of ambitious young racers, energized by these shifting examples, is now seeking to diversify and elevate their racing repertoires.
Kyle Busch’s Ongoing Pursuit of Short-Track Success
While Brexton’s progress has captured headlines, Kyle Busch continues to compete with unrelenting drive, proving that he remains a force to be reckoned with on and off the NASCAR circuit. In July, Busch is set to return to Maine’s Oxford Plains Speedway for the Celebration of America 300, targeting redemption at a venue with deep personal significance. Busch, piloting the No. 51 Late Model for Go Fas Racing, eyes a $20,000 winner’s purse and a chance to add another chapter to his storied short-track resume.
Busch’s track record at Oxford Plains includes a triumphant Oxford 250 win in 2011 and leading the inaugural Celebration of America 300 last year before a late-race crash relegated him to 24th. His resilience was on display in May’s Memorial Day Clash 200, where he secured an eighth-place finish after spending time out front. These performances underscore his refusal to rest on past laurels—even as his Cup Series campaign since 2023 has not produced a victory, Busch’s passion for grassroots racing remains undimmed.
“I’ve got some unfinished business up there in Maine. I’m looking forward to coming back up to Oxford Plains Speedway for the Celebration of America 300 on July 1-2. Be sure to be there.”
—Kyle Busch, Two-Time NASCAR Cup Champion.
With over 230 victories across NASCAR’s national series, Kyle Busch’s commitment to short-track racing is not only a testament to his enduring competitiveness, but also a beacon to up-and-comers like his son—proving the journey is every bit as significant as the trophies earned.
The Significance of the Next Generation
The convergence of the Kyle Busch racing career path with Kyle Larson’s dirt–track tradition, now embodied by young Brexton, represents a compelling evolution in American motorsport. As this new wave of drivers emerges, blending experience, heritage, and adaptability, icons of the sport such as Jeff Gordon, Tony Stewart, and Kurt Busch serve as reference points while Brexton and his peers write their own stories. Whether Brexton Busch will become the next transformative figure in racing or shape his own hybrid legacy remains a question for the years ahead—but today, his early exploits are reviving old routes and challenging established conventions in exhilarating fashion.
As the racing world watches parents like Kyle Busch carefully manage their children’s competitive rise and stars like Kyle Larson celebrate both old and new paths to glory, the importance of embracing change, honoring history, and fostering versatility is clear. Driven by pride, tradition, and the relentless pursuit of excellence, this generation—propelled by names old and new—ensures that American motorsport’s enduring spirit lives on, both on the dirt and beyond.
