Kyle Busch proposed a rule change just two days before his unexpected death that suggests he might have been dreaming about turning NASCAR into a family affair years from now.
NASCAR CEO Steve O’Donnell revealed that he received a text from Busch about tweaking eligibility for the Truck Series.
“What I look back on is a text from Kyle (on) Tuesday, as only Kyle could do — and I keep looking at it — and he said: ‘Hey, man, what do you think about an over-40 rule to be able to compete in all the Truck Series races next year?’” O’Donnell said.
Busch, 41, died Thursday of severe pneumonia that progressed “into sepsis, resulting in rapid and overwhelming associated complications,” according to a statement released by his family. He was found unresponsive Wednesday in a simulator while preparing for the Coca-Cola 600 in Charlotte.
O’Donnell said Busch’s rule-change suggestion had merit.
“I said, ‘You know, we put that rule in place because you were winning so much,’” O’Donnell said, “but when we looked about it and had a meeting Wednesday internally, we thought, ‘Damn, that’s actually good. We need Kyle in the Truck Series.’
“It was twofold. He knew he could help the Series, but I think one day had a dream to race against his son in a national series event.”
NASCAR implemented a rule – unofficially known as the “Kyle Busch Rule” – in 2017 to limit how many truck races a NASCAR Cup Series driver with three or more years of experience can race in a season (eight). Busch, who had a NASCAR record 243 victories, was proposing an exception for drivers over 40 years old.
Richard Childress Racing temporarily retired Busch’s No. 8, with plans to give it to his 11-year-old son, Brexton, when he becomes eligible.
There was a somber scene Saturday morning at Charlotte Motor Speedway as Busch’s familiar blue and white Chevrolet was unloaded in the silent garage area.
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