Kyle Busch Opens Up To Kevin Harvick About His Winless Streak & Why He’s Still Confident
About this episode
Kyle Busch opens up about his ongoing winless streak in the Cup Series, sharing candid insights on the challenges of adapting to the Gen 7 car, working with new crew chief Jim Pullman, and balancing team dynamics at RCR. He reflects on his role as a teammate and father, mentoring his son Brexton in racing while navigating the pressures of performance and fan expectations. The conversation also touches on Kyle's racing roots, his approach to car setup, and the evolving off-track demands of a modern NASCAR driver.
four-wheelers
"When you were a kid, did you spend much time in the desert, like on side-by-sides, four-wheelers, anything? Not a whole lot."
Four-wheelers are small vehicles with four wheels that you can drive on dirt or rough ground. People use them for fun or work in places like deserts.
Four-wheelers, also known as ATVs (All-Terrain Vehicles), are small motorized vehicles with four wheels designed for off-road use, popular for recreation and utility in rough terrain.
side-by-sides
"When you were a kid, did you spend much time in the desert, like on side-by-sides, four-wheelers, anything? Not a whole lot."
Side-by-sides are small off-road cars where people sit next to each other. They are used to drive on dirt or rough places like deserts.
Side-by-sides are off-road vehicles designed for two or more passengers sitting side-by-side, often used for recreational driving on rough terrain like deserts or trails.
dune buggies
"that then I got the four-wheelers and the side-by-sides and the dune buggies and all that stuff."
Dune buggies are small cars made to drive on sand hills or beaches. They have big tires to help them not get stuck.
Dune buggies are lightweight off-road vehicles designed for driving on sand dunes and beaches. They typically have a modified chassis and large tires to handle sandy terrain.
Las Vegas Motor Speedway
"When you go to Vegas, you've had a lot of success at the Speedway. You've gone and been able to win races there. You know what it takes. It's a very unique racetrack. Yeah, it's a fun racetrack."
Las Vegas Motor Speedway is a big race track in Las Vegas where NASCAR races happen. The track has changed over time to make racing better.
Las Vegas Motor Speedway is a prominent NASCAR racetrack known for its unique layout and high-speed racing. It has undergone changes over the years including repaving and reconfiguration.
racetrack configuration
"My first laps there were back on the old configuration back in the trucks. That's right. In 2001, I think it was. Yeah, it was flatter, wider, all that. And then they did the repave and all that sort of stuff."
Racetrack configuration means how the race track is shaped and built, like how wide or steep the turns are. Changing it can make racing different and harder or easier.
Racetrack configuration refers to the specific layout and design of a racing track, including its shape, banking, width, and surface. Changes to configuration can significantly affect car handling and race strategy.
repave
"Yeah, it was flatter, wider, all that. And then they did the repave and all that sort of stuff."
Repave means putting new pavement on the race track to make it smoother and better for racing. This can change how cars drive on it.
Repave refers to resurfacing a racetrack with new asphalt or concrete to improve grip and smoothness. This can change how cars perform and how drivers approach the race.
Xfinity Series
"I mean, we ran second in the first Xfinity racer on the new asphalt."
The Xfinity Series is like the minor league of NASCAR where drivers race cars that are a little different and try to get better before moving up to the top races.
The NASCAR Xfinity Series is the second-tier professional stock car racing series in the United States, just below the top-level Cup Series. It often serves as a proving ground for drivers aiming to compete in the Cup Series.
Xfinity races
""And then we won a couple of Xfinity races. I think I won a cup race actually before then winning a couple more Xfinity races.""
Xfinity races are part of a NASCAR racing series where drivers compete in cars similar to the top NASCAR series but it's like a step below the main races.
Xfinity races refer to events in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, which is the second-tier professional stock car racing series organized by NASCAR, just below the top-level Cup Series.
Cup race
""I think I won a cup race actually before then winning a couple more Xfinity races.""
A Cup race is a top-level NASCAR race where the best drivers compete.
A Cup race refers to a race in the NASCAR Cup Series, which is the highest level of professional stock car racing in NASCAR.
truck domination
""But you know, then obviously the truck domination with Cobbish Motorsports there and winning a ton of times in those.""
Truck domination means winning a lot of races in NASCAR's truck racing series, where the cars look like pickup trucks.
Truck domination refers to dominating performances in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, a NASCAR racing series featuring pickup truck-style vehicles.
Daytona 500 pole
""You started off the year with the Daytona 500 pole. Obviously that's a big moment because of the preparation...""
Getting the Daytona 500 pole means being the fastest driver in qualifying so you start the big Daytona 500 race in first place.
The Daytona 500 pole refers to earning the fastest qualifying time to start first in the Daytona 500, NASCAR's most prestigious race.
crew chief
""...new crew chief, everything that you have going. We talk a lot about the balance of the race car...""
The crew chief is like the boss of the racing team who decides how the car should be set up and when to make pit stops.
A crew chief is the team leader responsible for race strategy, car setup, and managing the pit crew during a NASCAR race.
balance of the race car
""We talk a lot about the balance of the race car because in my opinion the Gen 7 car is so hard to figure the balance.""
Balance of the race car means how well the car drives and feels when turning, speeding up, or slowing down.
The balance of the race car refers to how well the car handles and responds to driver inputs, including cornering, braking, and acceleration characteristics.
Gen 7 car
""...because in my opinion the Gen 7 car is so hard to figure the balance. And then you throw in a new body.""
The Gen 7 car is the newest type of NASCAR race car with new designs and safety improvements.
The Gen 7 car is the seventh generation of NASCAR Cup Series race cars, featuring updated aerodynamics, safety features, and design changes compared to previous generations.
new body
""And then you throw in a new body. What's been the differences in the body so far and what you guys have fought compared to what you thought you were going to fight?""
A new body means the outside shape of the race car has changed, which can change how it drives.
In NASCAR, a new body refers to the updated exterior shell of the race car, which affects aerodynamics and performance.
drag
"And so obviously with the reduced drag and the increased downforce, you try to get closer and closer on both of those,"
Drag is the air pushing against the car when it moves, which can slow it down. Making the car smoother helps it go faster by cutting through the air easier.
Drag is the aerodynamic resistance a car faces as it moves through the air, which slows it down. Reducing drag helps increase top speed and fuel efficiency, especially important in racing.
downforce
"And so obviously with the reduced drag and the increased downforce, you try to get closer and closer on both of those,"
Downforce is like a force that pushes the car down to the road so it sticks better when turning fast. This helps the car go faster around corners without sliding.
Downforce is the aerodynamic force that pushes a car down onto the track, increasing tire grip and improving cornering speeds. It is crucial in racing to maintain high speeds through turns.
qualifying on the pole
"and we qualify on the pole. But what was really cool about that with Jim Pullman coming on board,"
Qualifying on the pole means being the fastest driver before the race starts, so you get to start at the very front. This helps you avoid traffic and have a better chance to win.
Qualifying on the pole means setting the fastest time in qualifying sessions, earning the first starting position in the race. It is a significant advantage as the pole sitter starts at the front of the grid.
RCR
"And of course, RCR always knows how to build really fast speedway cars. So his little tweaks to that."
RCR is a famous racing team that builds and races cars in NASCAR. They are known for making fast cars especially for big oval tracks called speedways.
RCR stands for Richard Childress Racing, a prominent NASCAR team known for building competitive race cars, especially for speedway tracks.
go kart racing
""Like in go kart racing and legend racing and that's how they're taught to race. Yeah. Braxton, he's not, he's not that aggressive yet.""
Go kart racing is racing with small, simple cars called go-karts. Many professional drivers start learning how to race with go-karts.
Go kart racing is a form of motorsport using small, open-wheel vehicles called go-karts. It is often the entry-level discipline for many professional race car drivers and teaches fundamental racing skills.
legend racing
""Like in go kart racing and legend racing and that's how they're taught to race. Yeah. Braxton, he's not, he's not that aggressive yet.""
Legend racing is a type of racing with small cars that look like old classic cars. It's a way for drivers to learn how to race before moving up to bigger cars.
Legend racing involves racing scaled-down replicas of 1930s and 1940s American automobiles called Legend Cars. It is a popular grassroots racing series that helps drivers develop skills before moving to higher levels.
Hendrick
"The teams, the good teams, the Hendrick guys and the Gibbs guys. Yeah, they were good, but they haven't surpassed everybody else like they always do."
Hendrick is a big and successful NASCAR racing team that builds and races cars in important NASCAR races.
Hendrick Motorsports is a prominent NASCAR racing team known for its success and competitive cars in NASCAR Cup Series events.
Gibbs
"The teams, the good teams, the Hendrick guys and the Gibbs guys. Yeah, they were good, but they haven't surpassed everybody else like they always do."
Gibbs is another top NASCAR racing team that races in big NASCAR events and has won many races and championships.
Joe Gibbs Racing is a leading NASCAR team competing at the highest level, known for fielding competitive cars and winning multiple championships.
apex of the corner
"I know you need good segment times in the apex of the corner here. You got to be better on the exit of Richmond."
The apex is the middle part of a turn where drivers try to steer their car closest to the inside edge to go around the corner faster.
The apex of a corner is the innermost point of a turn on a racetrack where drivers aim to position their car for the fastest and most efficient path through the curve.
grip
"Having the grip that you need to be able to go win the race. And so I feel like it's just, it's not an excuse, but it's just like,"
Grip is how well the car's tires stick to the road. More grip means the car can go faster and turn better without sliding.
Grip refers to the traction between the race car's tires and the track surface, which is crucial for maintaining speed and control, especially in corners and during acceleration.
Hall of Fame
""Yeah. So your dad raised two Hall of Famers. And you guys went through an era of NASCAR and racing and success and all those things. ... You're going to be a first ballot Hall of Famer whenever you decide to hang it up.""
The Hall of Fame is like a special club for the best and most important people in NASCAR. If someone is a Hall of Famer, it means they were really great at racing and are remembered for it.
In NASCAR and many sports, the Hall of Fame honors individuals who have had exceptional careers and made significant contributions to the sport. Being inducted, especially as a first ballot Hall of Famer, is a prestigious recognition of a competitor's achievements.
in-car camera mount
""I made my own in-car camera mount, right? Like that was the first of the GoPros, you know, it was those little handheld cameras.""
An in-car camera mount is something that holds a camera inside the race car so the driver or team can watch videos of the race later to see how they did.
An in-car camera mount is a device used to securely attach a camera inside a race car to capture footage from the driver's perspective. This allows drivers and teams to review driving lines, braking points, and other performance details.
GoPro
""Like that was the first of the GoPros, you know, it was those little handheld cameras. I made a mount, put it in my legend car and that was our in-car video that we had to go look back and re-study the next week.""
GoPro makes small cameras that can be put on helmets or cars to record videos of races or adventures. They are tough and can handle fast movement.
GoPro is a company known for its small, rugged, and versatile action cameras. These cameras are widely used in motorsports to capture high-quality video footage from various angles, including inside and outside the car.
equipment
""Which is what my dad instilled in Kurt and I both was not tearing up our equipment because we have to go to the racetrack with the same car every single weekend, right?""
Equipment means the race cars and tools that drivers use. Keeping them in good shape helps racers perform well every time.
In racing, 'equipment' refers to the race cars and related gear used by drivers and teams. Taking care of equipment is important to ensure consistent performance across races.
backup car
""We travel with a backup car, but rarely do we have to pull it out.""
A backup car is a spare race car that a team keeps ready in case the main car breaks or gets damaged.
A backup car is an additional race car that a team brings to the track in case the primary car is damaged or unusable. It allows drivers to continue competing without missing events.
Tulsa shootout
""That was like where 110 cars from all across the country all come together at Tulsa for the Tulsa shootout.""
The Tulsa Shootout is a big car race in Tulsa where lots of drivers come to compete.
The Tulsa Shootout is a large racing event held in Tulsa, Oklahoma, featuring many drivers competing in sprint car races. It attracts a wide field of competitors from across the country.
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