Long known for his fierce persona on the NASCAR track, Kyle Busch is now reshaping that reputation as he focuses on family life and how it affects his approach to racing. This transformation, shaped through his journey as a father to Brexton, has significantly influenced Kyle Busch’s fatherhood and racing mindset, emphasizing the lessons he hopes to pass down to his son both on and off the track.
A Shifting Reputation Shaped by Family
Kyle Busch once embodied NASCAR’s “villain,” earning notoriety for a relentless style and willingness to clash with competitors. In recent years, however, fans and fellow drivers have witnessed a more nuanced version of Busch—one where dedication to his family, particularly his son Brexton, has begun to soften and redefine his priorities. The shift is evident not only in his public demeanor but in the approach he takes to raising his son amid the racing world.
Guiding the Next Generation Through Experience
Brexton Busch is already carving out a name for himself in midget and Legends car racing, capturing some of the same intense spirit seen in his father. Recognizing this, Kyle Busch is careful about how he influences his son’s competitive nature. Rather than encouraging the uncompromising, win-at-all-costs attitude that he himself was taught, Busch aims to balance passion for competition with realistic expectations of both victory and defeat.
When asked by Rajah Caruth, via Jeff Gluck’s 12 Questions segment, how becoming a father has changed his competitive approach, Busch explained that he now sees winning and success differently for his son compared to himself. He wants Brexton to understand the reality that most races end in loss, rather than instilling an absolute drive to win as the only acceptable outcome.
I think there’s more to life than that. Now that I’ve been here for so long, I’ve gotten to understand that, which is good. He still has that ‘win or die’ notion, but I try to console him and tell him it’s OK!
—Kyle Busch, NASCAR Driver
This new perspective, rooted in his own evolving outlook, aims to prepare Brexton for the emotional highs and lows that come with the sport, as well as in life.
Key Lessons Learned from Racing and Parenthood
Busch recently shared a story about a race where Brexton, after a few months’ break, finished second in an adult-level dirt race. Even though Brexton was frustrated by not winning, Kyle reassured him that the outcome was still a strong achievement, particularly given the competition. Such moments reflect a major change from Busch’s own upbringing, where anything less than victory was never good enough.
His relationship with Samantha, and their decision to start a family, catalyzed this change in Busch’s mindset. While he admits to retaining some of his famously fiery personality, it was the arrival of his children that caused a true evolution in how he approaches both racing and life’s challenges.
Fierce Protection and Emotional Reactions
This new phase has not come without turbulence. Kyle Busch’s protectiveness toward his children has, at times, resulted in incidents on and off the track. During the Summer Shootout last year, Samantha recounted on her Certified Oversharer podcast how Busch reacted strongly after a race marred by confusion at the start. With Brexton eliminated in the chaos, Busch confronted the officials, arguing for the children to be allowed to repair their vehicles and restart the race.
When officials refused, Busch’s emotions got the best of him, as he used harsh language and was subsequently ejected from the event and fined $200. Initially reluctant to pay the fine on principle, Busch decided to settle it so he could continue supporting his son’s racing efforts. His return to the event the following year highlighted how, despite challenges, his commitment to his family and son’s development remains unwavering.
The Significance of a New Approach
Kyle Busch’s story underscores the profound impact fatherhood has had on his racing mindset and personal life. By emphasizing balance, resilience, and compassion, he hopes to guide Brexton through both victories and setbacks, helping him grow both as a competitor and a person. As Busch’s reputation evolves, his transformation from NASCAR’s notorious hothead to devoted father may leave a legacy that influences not just his family, but also the culture of the sport for future generations.
