It wasn’t long ago that Kyle Busch sat in front of reporters and addressed the whispers about his future. The fire in his voice was unmistakable. Despite a good start with multiple Top-10s in five races, he faced questions about retirement. “I’ve heard plenty of talk. So, no. I’m turning 40, Denny Hamlin’s out there, he’s turning 44 or 45 – and he’s winning races. So, 37 to about 43, you’re in your prime in NASCAR, actually. I am still right there, I still got plenty in the tank, I’m still ready to go,” he rubbished all retirement rumors.
Back then, it felt like a turning point. Busch wasn’t winning, but he wasn’t broken. He spoke of his trust in Richard Childress Racing, how the team was “working to get our Chevrolets back up front.” His optimism wasn’t blind; it was built on experience and belief. He still saw himself as a contender, even if the stats didn’t always agree. The fire, the confidence, and the desire were all still there. The question was how long those feelings could survive in a results-driven sport.
Fast forward to June 15 in Mexico City. The optimism has soured. The boos were louder than his engine. Busch crashed out just seven laps into the Viva Mexico 250, taking out multiple cars with him. Fans didn’t just groan, they erupted. What began as minor doubts months ago has exploded into something louder and harsher. Retirement calls are now drowning out everything else. Notably, on lap 7 at Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez, Kyle Busch misjudged the rain-slicked turn. He locked up and lost control heading into Turn 1.
What followed was a disaster. Busch plowed into the back of Justin Haley, then slammed into Kyle Larson and AJ Allmendinger. The wreck heavily damaged the No. 8 car. “It’s pretty well destroyed here, guys, everything in the rear,” Busch said over the radio. Both Larson and Busch headed straight to the garage, but Busch couldn’t get the car repaired and retired for the day. Haley’s rear bumper took a beating, while Briscoe and Smith also got caught up in the chaos. Frustrated after the incident, Busch’s spotter Derek Kneeland posted several angry emojis on social media.
For Busch, once again, a handful of laps, and his day was done. It wasn’t just a racing mistake; it was a flashpoint for fans already fed up. The boos began in Mexico, but the backlash spilled well beyond the racetrack. Social media lit up with fans demanding that Busch retire. One fan wrote, “Kyle Busch is washed.” Another said, “Good grief, Kyle Busch just hang it up, man.” Statistically, the backlash wasn’t out of nowhere. Busch entered Mexico City with a winless streak stretching back to Gateway in 2023.
Kyle Busch’s onboard of the crash. pic.twitter.com/INgXmU6D8C
— Carson (@NASCARSON_) June 15, 2025
Despite flashes of speed, his average finish hovered around 16.7. Worse, many of his best days faded due to poor execution or mid-race errors. Mexico only added fuel to that fire. However, Busch showed hope earlier in 2025. He had top 10 finishes at Atlanta, Phoenix, COTA, and Michigan. At COTA, he led 42 laps and finished fifth. But even in those moments, the win never came. He was barely staying afloat in the top 16 and after today’s DNF, Rowdy is going to take a beating in points battle.
This is a developing story.
The post Retirement Calls Explode as Kyle Busch Booed by Furious Fans in Mexico City appeared first on EssentiallySports.
