NASCAR radio communications have always been a goldmine for raw, unfiltered moments that perfectly capture the intensity of racing. From Dale Earnhardt Sr.’s legendary mid-race windshield-cleaning quip at Richmond in 1986 – “I’m gonna be off the radio for a few minutes” – to Ross Chastain’s “Talk to me boys” after his iconic Hail Melon move at Martinsville Speedway in 2022, these exchanges have become an integral part of the sport’s lore. They offer fans a rare glimpse into the minds of drivers as they navigate the chaos of high-stakes competition.
And Phoenix Raceway just delivered another unforgettable moment. Amid a chaotic race filled with wrecks, questionable moves, and tempers flaring, one driver’s voice cut through the chaos. None other than the ‘Rowdy’ Kyle Busch. Never one to hold back, the two-time Cup champion unleashed an expletive-filled tirade over the radio, summing up his thoughts on what was unfolding around him. What set him off? Let’s break it down.
Kyle Busch doesn’t hold back expressing his feelings
The Shriner’s Children 400 at Phoenix Raceway was marked by chaos and controversy, with multiple wrecks and incidents dominating the action. The drama began early, setting the tone for a race filled with unpredictability. Stage 1 concluded with Joey Logano performing well, but it was the restart after Stage 2 that triggered the most intense moment of the race.
The pivotal moment came after a wreck created havoc on Lap 99. Chase Briscoe and Carson Hocevar were at the epicenter of the crash, triggering a chain reaction that impacted several drivers – 7 to be precise. Several more were damaged. It all began when Justin Haley and Chase Briscoe made contact between Turns 1 and 2. This led to Briscoe slamming into the side of Hocevar and resulted in blowing Briscoe’s right-side window out. Meanwhile, a few cars saw themselves piling into the mess created by the incident. As a result, drivers like Brad Keselowski, Riley Herbst, Cole Custer, and Shane van Gisbergen weren’t able to finish the race.
Derek Kneeland, Kyle Busch‘s spotter, explained the incident to Busch on the radio. “One guy hit the wall so hard, got quished.” Busch was in the top field when the accident happened and managed to stay clear of any misfortune. However, Kyle Busch, being Kyle Busch, didn’t shy away from letting his frustration be known. “It’s a freaking s— show out here,” he exclaimed. His raw emotion reflected not only the chaos of the moment but also his growing impatience with the unpredictable nature of recent NASCAR races.
During the caution lap, Busch further vented out his frustrations, saying, “I think’s it’s pretty interesting that at a mile track we have a right side window laying on the ground.” Tracks like Phoenix are not known for big wrecks or frequent cautions. The one-mile short, flat oval is known for its tight and strategic racing. However, the Next-Gen cars have made racing like this tough, as their robust handling leads to wrecks on almost every track type.
The 2025 season has gained a notorious reputation for being plagued by tension on the track. While wrecks and crashes are an inherent part of NASCAR racing, the 2025 season has seen an alarming frequency of incidents. It’s not just the wrecks themselves but the resulting caution flag decisions, or the lack thereof, that have added to the chaos. The inconsistency in race control decisions and the seemingly relentless wrecks are pushing drivers to their limits. Kyle Busch’s rant has provided a candid glimpse into just how hard it is to stay composed amidst all the mayhem. And it’s been this way for him all season so far.
How have crashes impacted Busch’s 2025 season?
Kyle Busch’s 2025 NASCAR Cup Series season has been marred by a series of crashes. These incidents significantly impacted his performance and the final result, even snatching away possible victory from Rowdy. This is a trend that has been emerging since 2024, where Busch was involved in eight wrecks, resulting in five DNFs, with four of those being due to accidents.
This bad luck continued to haunt him in 2025. At Daytona, Busch’s Daytona 500 bid ended in Stage 2 to a late-race crash. Ricky Stenhouse Jr. and Joey Logano got caught in each other’s way, leading to a pile-up on the inside line, and Busch was tangled in the mess, ending his race. However, he attributed this to NASCAR’s new rules, which prevented him from returning to the track, but this was later clarified as Busch did fail to make minimum speed. This incident set the tone for a season filled with challenges. Since then, Busch has found himself in the wrong place at the wrong time on multiple occasions.
At Atlanta Motor Speedway during the Ambetter Health 400, Busch found himself navigating through a chaotic race filled with aggressive driving and near-misses. Carson Hocevar’s bold maneuvers added tension to the event, forcing Busch to stay vigilant to avoid being caught in wrecks that unfolded around him. Busch ended with a seventh-place finish, but after having won the Truck race just earlier in the week, it was clear that Busch was aiming for a win.
Then came the Circuit of The Americas race, when the wreck didn’t even involve him but ruined his chances at a win. Denny Hamlin lost grip entering Turn 6 of the newly modified track and went nose-first into Austin Dillon’s door. Dillon was pushed into the gravel, and a caution flag was waved as Busch held a 2-second gap at the lead of the race. With this gap vanishing and his tires wearing, Busch had no choice but to give up the lead to Christopher Bell, who raced him hard and clean. Busch ended up being passed by a host of drivers, finishing the race in fifth place.
Despite these setbacks, Busch remains one of the most competitive drivers in the series. His ability to adapt and overcome adversity will be crucial as he seeks to turn his season around. With his next race being in his hometown of Las Vegas, Busch will be looking to capitalize on his familiarity with the track to secure a much-needed win.
As the season progresses, Kyle Busch’s resilience will be tested further. His recent demand for a NASCAR rule change after NASCAR’s decision on Cindric’s aggressive driving episode highlights his growing frustration with the sport’s officiating and safety protocols. Despite these challenges, Busch’s determination to succeed remains unwavering. He will undoubtedly push hard to regain his winning form in the coming races. Do you think he can break his 61-race winless streak at his home track next week? Let us know in the comments!
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