At just five years old, Kyle Busch, now a celebrated NASCAR driver, embarked on his first secret driving adventure. When his parents went out for the evening, Busch and his older brother, Kurt, stayed with their grandmother. Seizing the opportunity, young Kyle stealthily took the keys to his parents’ 1970 VW Beetle and drove down their quiet cul-de-sac to retrieve his brother. Despite barely being able to see over the steering wheel, he successfully navigated the car, leaving his brother Kurt astonished. Remarkably, the incident remained a secret until Kyle was 30, demonstrating both the audacity and skill that would later define his professional career.
Kyle Busch officially entered the world of competitive racing at sixteen, coinciding with the year he got the ownership of that very same Beetle. However, his unofficial debut behind the wheel happened over a decade earlier, long before the world recognized his talent. His ethical audacity, showcased in childhood, eventually translated into a professional career filled with successes that few can rival. Winning 63 Cup Series races and two championships, Busch has built a reputation as one of NASCAR’s finest.
The recounting of this childhood escapade came to light recently on Bert Kreischer’s show, “Something’s Burning,” where Kyle and his wife, Samantha, discussed various anecdotes from Busch’s life. In a segment filled with warmth and candor, Kyle revealed how this mischievous act was motivated by the task given by his grandmother and seized upon as a perfect chance to emulate the driving he had seen adults do. Kurt assumed that Kyle would land in serious trouble when their parents found out, but the young Kyle flawlessly returned the Beetle to its spot without incident, maintaining the secret for 25 years.
The car, now a piece of family history, not only introduced Kyle to the world of driving but also came back into his life when he turned sixteen. His parents, oblivious to their son’s early driving endeavor, unwittingly allowed him to officially own and drive the Beetle, further solidifying its sentimental value. Kyle’s journey from an adventurous child with a secret to a full-fledged NASCAR champion spans the breadth of youthful curiosity and adult achievement, linked by an unspoken but profound connection to driving.
This charming tale highlights the formative experiences that can shape an individual’s future. For young readers, Kyle Busch’s secret driving incident serves as a reminder that moments of daring and discipline, even in childhood, can sometimes lay the groundwork for remarkable careers. As Busch continues to participate in NASCAR’s high-octane world, this early escapade is a fascinating footnote in the story of one of racing’s greats, imparting lessons of audacity balanced with skill.
