Kyle Busch, a former NASCAR Cup Series driver, recently expressed support for changes in the NASCAR schedule that include adding new race locations, aiming to increase diversity and reach new fans. Speaking ahead of the EchoPark race, Busch highlighted the importance of expanding the schedule with venues like Mexico and San Diego to broaden NASCAR’s appeal.
Busch, 40, has had an extensive career across NASCAR’s three major series. He debuted in the Cup Series in 2003 with Hendrick Motorsports and secured a full-time ride in 2005. After joining Joe Gibbs Racing in 2008, he raced there for over ten years before moving to Richard Childress Racing in 2023. Throughout his 22 years competing in the Cup Series, Busch has earned 63 wins, 252 top-five finishes, 387 top-ten finishes, and claimed 34 pole positions in 731 starts.
Reflecting on his experience with a variety of tracks, Busch voiced strong backing for NASCAR’s plan to introduce new venues to the schedule. He elaborated in a social media statement via FrontStretch on X,
“I think the schedule having variation is really cool. I think that’s great. I think it gives you a little bit more diversity within your fan base in the areas of the country that you can go races, as long as you can kind of spread it around a little bit, like if you go run Charlotte, Rockingham, Darlington, and North Wilkesboro, all within a two-month span. You’re recruiting the same people, right? So, but going to Mexico is obviously new people.” —Kyle Busch
He also mentioned the potential benefits of bringing races back to other locations, saying,
“You know, being able to go back to Chicagoland, maybe, if that’s on the table, that would be cool. San Diego would be cool. I know we’ve picked up some new fans and some different areas of the different trades racetracks that we’ve gone to, so let’s keep it going,” he concluded. —Kyle Busch
Kyle Busch last competed in the Great American Getaway 400 Presented by VISITPA.COM at Pocono Raceway on Sunday, June 22, 2025. Despite starting 26th, he finished in 20th place and earned 17 points for the race.
Kyle Busch Details His Crash and Challenges at Pocono Raceway
Busch faced difficulties during the Great American Getaway 400 at Pocono Raceway, where he endured a spin and considerable damage to his #8 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1. While competing for 24th place, Busch spun in turn 2, triggering a multi-car incident that involved Christopher Bell, Shane van Gisbergen, and Ty Dillon as well.
Despite the crash, Busch managed to keep his car on track but struggled with the damaged vehicle throughout the race. Discussing the incident in an interview with NBC Sports, he shared,
“Our Chevrolet team worked hard today at Pocono Raceway to overcome obstacles. A speeding penalty on pit road put us behind at the end of Stage 1, then we ended up with heavy damage to our Chevy after spinning towards the end of Stage 2. We just lost the air racing in traffic.” —Kyle Busch
Currently, Busch is positioned 19th in the Cup Series points standings, maintaining a winless streak this season. His performance so far includes five top-ten finishes and one top-five finish in 17 starts.
The Impact of Adding New Tracks and Expanding NASCAR’s Reach
Kyle Busch’s endorsement of the NASCAR schedule overhaul signals a shift in the sport toward greater geographic diversity and fan engagement. By introducing races in locations like Mexico and San Diego, NASCAR aims to attract fresh audiences beyond its traditional bases. Busch emphasized that spreading out races can help avoid saturating the same regions, citing the cluster of events at Charlotte, Rockingham, Darlington, and North Wilkesboro as an example where similar fan groups are targeted repeatedly.
Busch’s suggestions to revisit tracks such as Chicagoland also reflect a desire to reconnect with past markets while exploring new opportunities to grow the fan base. The changes could contribute to refreshing the schedule and providing drivers and teams with unique challenges in varying environments. This approach has the potential to enhance the sport’s competitive landscape and boost its national and international appeal.
Looking ahead, the incorporation of new tracks and a more varied schedule could redefine NASCAR’s identity, helping expand viewership and sponsorships. As drivers like Busch continue voicing their perspectives, NASCAR’s evolution appears driven by both fan interest and industry feedback, promising a more dynamic future for the sport.
