Kyle Busch is preparing to make his fourth attempt at the Tulsa Shootout, returning with ambitions to claim the Golden Driller trophy for his family. The 2026 event, taking place at Tulsa Expo Raceway, will feature Busch racing in several divisions as he aims to secure his first victory at this prestigious micro sprint competition.
Busch’s Ambitions and Family Legacy at the Shootout
Kyle Busch, competing under the banner of Richard Childress Racing, last appeared at the Tulsa Shootout in January, racing at the SageNet Center. In that event, his son, Brexton Busch, made headlines by dominating the Junior Sprint A-Main, leading all 20 laps on his way to his first Golden Driller trophy. The family’s drive for success at this event continues, with both father and son entering various classes as they strive to build on their legacy.
This year, Busch will participate in numerous categories, including Sawyer Chassis Winged Outlaw, Non-Wing Outlaw, A-Class Winged, and Stock Non-Wing. Ahead of the competition, the 40-year-old shared images of his No. 51K Lucas Oil midget car and stated his determination:
“Ready for my turn to add to the family Golden Driller count.”
— Kyle Busch, Driver
Recent Race Results and the Road to the Shootout
During his previous attempts at the Tulsa Shootout, Busch demonstrated his skill by winning heat races but fell short in the A-Main final. His track performance paralleled a difficult run in the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series, where, despite three top-5 finishes, ten top-10s, and leading 88 laps, he extended his winless stretch since mid-2023 and finished 17th in the final standings as the No. 8 Chevrolet driver.
Set to begin Monday, December 29, 2025, and continuing through January 3, 2026, the upcoming Tulsa Shootout is expected to draw a record field of 2,000 entries across multiple micro sprint classes. Practice will open at 9:00 am CT, with races running over five consecutive days at the Tulsa Expo Raceway.
Passing Lessons: Busch’s Advice for the Next Generation
Kyle Busch has emphasized the importance of progress on the track, particularly with advice to his ten-year-old son, Brexton, who will compete in the A-Class restricted wing and non-winged divisions. Busch shared the guiding principle that shapes their competitive spirit at the Shootout:
“Rule #1 for Tulsa Shootout. Always pass at least one car.”
— Kyle Busch, Driver
Future Plans and the Chili Bowl Nationals
While Busch gears up for the 2026 Tulsa Shootout, his participation in the upcoming Chili Bowl Nationals remains unconfirmed. The 40th annual Chili Bowl, another prominent indoor dirt midget event at Tulsa Expo Raceway in Oklahoma, is scheduled for January 13-18, 2026. Busch, who made his debut at the Chili Bowl earlier in 2025, advanced through preliminary features but did not reach the A-Main finale. Notably, as of now, fellow NASCAR Cup Series drivers Kyle Larson and Christopher Bell also have not registered for the forthcoming event.
The anticipation for the Tulsa Shootout coincides with high interest in Kyle Busch’s performance, both as a driver pursuing a breakthrough victory and as a mentor to his son, Brexton. As the Busch family aims to expand their achievements, fans and competitors alike will watch closely to see if Kyle Busch can finally capture his own Golden Driller trophy at the 2026 Tulsa Shootout.
Ready for my turn to add to the family Golden Driller count.🫡
Watch every lap on @FloRacing!📺 pic.twitter.com/EvBSTaHkhQ
— Kyle Busch (@KyleBusch) December 28, 2025
Rule #1 for Tulsa Shootout. Always pass at least one car.📝@brextonbusch l @Lucas_Oil pic.twitter.com/8hBekbwsPI
— Kyle Busch (@KyleBusch) December 28, 2025
