While some NASCAR families are sending their young drivers abroad for experience, Kyle Busch has chosen to develop his son, Brexton, through local racing programs within the United States. Speaking at Sonoma, Busch explained that he believes there are sufficient training opportunities nationwide to nurture his son’s talent without the need to send him to Europe, where other families, like Kevin Harvick’s, have taken a different route.
Busch emphasized the availability of domestic race series and training that can provide Brexton with a strong foundation. He said,
There are enough training courses here where I can be helpful as well. We can go do some of that. There’s plenty of other race series that you could get into and get involved in in order to get those experiences.
—Kyle Busch, Two-time Cup Series Champion
Brexton’s current racing pursuits under Kyle Busch Motorsports
At ten years old, Brexton Busch is gaining on-track experience primarily through dirt racing, competing under the Kyle Busch Motorsports banner. He pilots the No. 18B car in various classes, including the 600cc Winged Micro Sprints at Millbridge Speedway and the Charlotte Summer Shootout’s Bandits and Legends divisions. His performances have included several top finishes, highlighting his promising talent in these grassroots competitions.
Kyle Busch’s strategy is to expose Brexton to a balanced mix of paved and dirt track racing, allowing his son to explore different skill sets before deciding on his preferred future in motorsports. The ultimate objective remains clear: Brexton aims to advance toward a NASCAR Cup Series seat through this gradual, well-rounded development approach.
Comparing approaches: Kevin Harvick’s son Keelan races in Europe with different ambitions
In contrast to Brexton’s focused path toward NASCAR, Kevin Harvick’s son, Keelan, has pursued European karting competitions such as the World Series Karting in Italy, nurturing ambitions that lean toward open-wheel racing and Formula One. Keelan has openly expressed desires to race in F1, hoping to challenge his favorite driver, Max Verstappen.
Harvick has voiced concern about young American drivers being drawn away by the allure of Formula One and has collaborated with NASCAR leadership, including Jim France, to create pathways that keep talented youngsters within NASCAR or related sports car racing disciplines.
He explained in a 2022 interview,
They [kids] all want to drive the Ferrari or the Red Bull. This is something that I’ve talked with Jim France and with people in our garage [about] is how do we make sure that all those kids whose dreams don’t come true, how do we create them to be gentlemen racers and put them in sports car racing and attract the great ones over to NASCAR.
—Kevin Harvick, NASCAR Driver
The ongoing challenge of guiding young drivers amid competing racing interests
The differing paths between the Busch and Harvick families illustrate the complex decisions involved in nurturing the next generation of racing talent. While Kyle Busch focuses on homegrown experiences to develop Brexton’s NASCAR future, Kevin Harvick is managing a delicate balance as Keelan’s ambitions draw toward international open-wheel series.
This dynamic raises questions about how American racing families will manage their drivers’ evolving goals as the sport continues to globalize and career options multiply. For now, Brexton’s progress in the United States aligns with his father’s vision of preparing him steadily for NASCAR’s highest level, while Keelan’s journey remains an open-ended pursuit influenced by his exposure to European racing culture.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Where will Kyle Busch go in 2026?
A. Pressing escape will shut and exit the window. In Concord, North Carolina, Kyle Busch shared on Saturday that he will keep racing the No. 8 Chevrolet car. He will stay with Richard Childress Racing until the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series season, according to the announcement at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
Q. Why is Kyle Busch so famous?
A. Many people see him as one of the top drivers of his time and in NASCAR’s history. He is famous for excelling in all three main series of the sport. Besides racing, Busch also had a short stint as WWE 24/7 Champion.
Q. Where is Kyle Busch going in 2026?
A. Kyle Busch and Richard Childress Racing have decided on a contract lasting until the 2026 season.
The announcement, made at Charlotte Motor Speedway in Concord, N.C., confirms that Busch will keep driving the No. 8 Chevrolet for RCR in the NASCAR Cup Series until 2026.
Q. Why is Kyle Busch famous?
A. Busch holds the record for the most wins in NASCAR’s national series with 231 victories. He has 63 wins in the NASCAR Cup Series, 102 in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, and 66 in the NASCAR Truck Series.
From 2013 to 2022, Busch achieved victories in all three NASCAR national series each season for ten straight years.
