Kyle's Corner - Kyle Busch

A new year brings new challenges for Kyle Busch. Busch left Hendrick Motorsports after five years of calling that organization home. In 2008, Busch moves over to Joe Gibbs Racing for the season and beyond. Kyle will pilot the #18 M&M's Toyota. He will also embark on a partial Nationwide Series schedule with select Craftsman Truck events as well.

Kyle comes from a family that has racing in their veins. His father Tom and older brother Kurt also raced. The Busch brothers compete against each other in NASCAR's two top series.

Busch developed the racing bug early, by the age of six Kyle was driving go-karts with assistance from Kurt to reach the pedals. Kyle would then go on to hone his skills at the Las Vegas Motorspeedway “Bullring”

At the age of 16, Kyle made his first career start in one of NASCAR's national series driving for Roush Fenway Racing in the Craftsman Truck Series. In August 2001, Busch proved he was ready for the higher level of competition, finishing ninth in his first truck event at O'Reilly Raceway Park in Indianapolis.

His excitement would quickly turn to devastation, however, as shortly after he posted the Top-10 finish, NASCAR mandated that drivers had to be age 18 or older to compete in any of its three national series.

Being a racer at heart , Kyle didn't let the age restriction stop him from from racing. Busch spent 2002 racing in ASA (American Speed Associaton), honing his skills on short tracks throughout the country. Busch had a full plate that year, also graduating from Durango High School in Las Vegas a full year early.

In February 2003, Busch began competing for his former home of Hendrick Motorsports. Kyle went on to win five races and finish runner-up in the Nationwide series in 2004 before moving to the series now known as Sprint Cup the following season, capturing two wins that year along with Rookie Of The Year honors.

In 2006 and 2007, Busch posted two wins winning at New Hampshire in 2006 and Bristol in 2007 in the first race of the Car of Tomorrow.

There is no doubt Kyle and the No. 18 M&M's Toyota will find victory lane this season. Joe Gibbs Racing is embarking on an adventure in 2008 with a new driver, new manufacturer and team owner Joe Gibbs is also back at the race track. Who will win Toyota's first race? Only time will tell... hopefully JGR.