Kyle Busch is a man that has experienced a very unique career trajectory over the years. While the Las Vegas native has spent most of his Cup series career as a heel, he’s now almost a hero. His temper is cooling down, and his career resurgence is winning over fans.
Rewind about 16 years, however, and Kyle Busch was a man every NASCAR fan despised. Fans even erupted in boos whenever Busch won a race and got out of the car to take his signature bow.
Kyle Busch vs. Dale Earnhardt Jr background
Busch wanted another win during the 2008 spring Race at Richmond, and the only thing standing in his way was Dale Earnhardt Jr. Unfortunately for Busch, Dale Jr. was the crowd favorite due to his legendary name. Busch was the ill-tempered jackass who routinely melted down.
Rowdy had no problem pressing the issue as the two fought for the lead with three laps to go. They had just gotten bunched up due to a restart, and both needed the win for different reasons. For Busch, he wanted points and another win to put on his resume. In Dale Jr’s case, however, it went a little deeper.
Dale Jr needed this win to revive his Cup Series career
Dale Jr’s situation looked much different. He had just left his famous father’s company to race for Hendrick Motorsports. Most assumed this would make him a title contender, but he had trouble finishing races. Fans were wondering when he would win a race again, and this was on Jr’s mind that night.
Dale Jr. needed to win to justify his move to Hendrick Motorsports and prove himself as a title contender. Richmond looked like the perfect race to do this, but Busch was quickly gaining on him. The two were about to meet for what would become an iconic moment.
Related: Wildest Busch Brothers moments in NASCAR history
Kyle Busch costs Dale Jr the race in dramatic fashion
Jr. seemed to mess up a corner with three laps to go, giving Busch a poke at the lead, and he took it for a second. However, Dale Jr. charged back on the outside after getting a nice run on the exit. The pair then raced through the backstretch before the infamous spin happened.
Busch got into the corner too deep and made contact with Jr’s car on the way up. It all culminated with Jr. spinning and the crowd going insane over the wreck. After a caution period, Busch tried to secure the win but was outraced by Clint Bowyer. Once out of the car, Busch even apologized to Dale Jr.
NASCAR fans come down hard on Kyle Busch after the incident
Despite Busch’s apology, NASCAR fans were enraged. Dale Jr’s cult-like fan base is not something to mess with, and Busch now had their attention.
Jr. even told reporters that Busch would probably need security to get out of the facility. It was honestly just so raw of a moment for NASCAR fans that it took everyone aback. No one expected this collision between the two, and the idea of their paths crossing again was now all anyone could talk about.
Fans got that wish a few months later when Dale Jr and Kyle Busch met again at Richmond. This time it was Dale Jr. that didn’t let up on Rowdy heading into the corner, causing him to go for a spin. The moment marked a bit of karma for Busch, and Jr. fans everywhere couldn’t stop celebrating.
Kyle Busch vs. Dale Jr: Where both drivers went from there
In the end, It was Kyle Busch who got the final laugh. He won two championships and notched 63 Cup Races. Dale Jr., on the other hand, never captured a championship and only won 26 Cup Series races in his 17-year career.
Busch has had a much better career and is now going through his hero phase. Of course, some are still going to boo him for his past, but it’s almost impossible not to acknowledge everything he has accomplished.
For more, check out this interview on Bussin with The Boys. Dale Jr. goes into much more detail about what happened after the wreck.
Next: What Las Vegas sports fans are worried about right now
