Kyle Busch’s 2015 NASCAR season nearly ended before it began due to a devastating crash at the Xfinity Series season opener, held just one day before the Daytona 500. While racing at high speeds on the oval track, Busch was caught in a multi-car accident that sent his car skidding into an unprotected concrete wall. The impact shattered his right leg and left foot, forcing him out of competition for the first 11 Cup races.
Kyle Busch’s Account of the Terrifying Wreck
Busch described the moment of impact during a recent conversation on GOLF’s Subpar podcast with Colt Knost and Drew Stoltz. He explained how he spun into the infield and struck the retaining wall at approximately 90 miles per hour, experiencing forces estimated at 90 Gs. The injuries he suffered included a compound fracture to his right leg and a broken left foot.
“I spun into the infield, and there’s an inside retaining wall, and I hit that at 90 miles an hour, 90 Gs, and I broke my left foot and broke my right leg in that crash. And so, that one hurt. That one didn’t feel very good,”
—Busch recalled.
After the crash, Busch was able to exit the wrecked car on his own before being taken to a nearby hospital. He vividly remembered realizing immediately that his right leg was broken due to the sharp pain he felt at the moment of the crash.
“As soon as the wreck happened, as soon as I hit, I knew instantly my right leg broke. I could feel it. It was just a sharp pain,”
—Busch recalled.
Relentless Comeback Drives 2015 Championship Victory
Despite the severity of his injuries, Busch’s determination pushed him back onto the track. He made a return to racing in the Xfinity Series, securing a victory at Michigan. His momentum continued as he achieved seven consecutive top-five finishes, including four wins. In the Cup Series, he earned five wins following his return, with the season culminating in a triumph at Homestead-Miami.
Busch’s ability to overcome such a physically and mentally demanding setback and claim the 2015 Cup championship is recognized as one of the most remarkable comebacks in NASCAR history. His journey underscored the unforgiving nature of the sport, where disaster can strike at any moment, but resilience can lead to triumph.
