Justin Allgaier remembers the 2009 NASCAR Xfinity race at Nashville Superspeedway, where Kyle Busch celebrated his victory in an unusual way by smashing a custom-made Gibson Les Paul guitar. This moment became known as the Kyle Busch NASCAR guitar smashing incident, but for Allgaier, the gesture was far from amusing.
The emotional toll on the artist behind the guitar
Busch considered the guitar smashing a fun way to celebrate, but Allgaier shared a different perspective during a recent episode of the Stacking Pennies podcast with Corey LaJoie. He explained how he was closely connected with Sam Bass, the late artist who crafted the guitar, estimated to be worth around $25,000. The destruction caused deep pain for Bass, who had devoted around 100 hours to painting the instrument’s detailed imagery.
So I lived that whole Kyle Busch smashing it,
Allgaier said.
I was lucky enough to be fairly close with Sam Bass (the late artist who created the one-of-a-kind guitar that had been valued at around $25,000), and the devastation that he went through during that was wild.
He’s like, ‘Little did I know he was going to smash that one.’ He spent 100 hours painting it. There is no way I’m ever smashing a Nashville guitar.
Celebrating victories with intact guitars
Unlike Busch’s dramatic celebration, Allgaier prefers to keep his guitars unharmed. He owns two guitars commemorating his own Xfinity Series wins at Nashville Superspeedway. Although he nearly added a third from the 2021 race—where he finished just one second behind Busch—there was no guitar smashing in that instance. He reflected on the significance of the guitars, noting how their colors match his daughters’ favorite shades, creating a personal connection to the winning trophies in his home.
It actually works out really good,
Allgaier explained.
My oldest daughter, Harper, her favorite color is green and (other daughter) Willow, her favorite color is pink and purple. So now I have a green one and a purple one. I’m like this is perfect. So I know which one’s going to which room, just like I planned it.
Why this moment still resonates today
The Kyle Busch NASCAR guitar smashing incident remains a vivid memory in NASCAR history, highlighting the tension between theatrical celebration and respect for craftsmanship. For Allgaier, the event underscores the emotional cost behind such actions, especially when they involuntarily damage a symbol of hard work and artistry. His perspective offers insight into the deeper impact that victories and their celebrations can have beyond the racetrack, reminding fans and drivers alike of the personal stories connected to their sport’s traditions and memorabilia.
