As Motorsport.com reports, the racing world gathered at Charlotte Motor Speedway for the Kyle Busch Celebration of Life, hosted by Mike Joy immediately following a NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race. Among those taking the stage to honor him was Joe Gibbs, who served as Kyle Busch's team owner from 2009 through the 2022 season.
During their time together, Coach Gibbs and Kyle Busch secured 56 NASCAR Cup races alongside the 2015 and 2019 NASCAR Cup Series championships. Kyle remains the team's most recent champion in the Cup category, sitting second only to Denny Hamlin on the all-time wins list for JGR.
Recalling their partnership's explosive start in 2008—which marked the debut year for manufacturer Toyota in Cup and sponsor Mars—Gibbs noted that Kyle delivered eight victories that season, beginning with a win in Atlanta. Pointing to an astonishing career total of 234 wins and historic weekend sweeps like the one at Bristol where he conquered Truck, Xfinity, and Cup machinery, Gibbs emphasized just how special his former driver's talent truly was.
That incredible talent came bundled with legendary intensity, and Gibbs shared a brilliant, unfiltered anecdote from Loudon, New Hampshire. After finishing second in a race, Kyle addressed the media on pit road while Gibbs listened nearby. Once the cameras stopped rolling, Kyle walked straight up to his team owner, pointed right at him, and delivered a blunt verdict: "your cars suck."
Away from the cockpit, however, a very different character emerged. Gibbs highlighted Kyle's great sense of humor and willingness to laugh at himself, particularly during the team's annual Christmas party video skits. Whether dressing up in a giant rooster glove, singing in a car alongside Sam, or playing the role of an anger management instructor teaching young Xfinity drivers, Kyle threw himself into the fun without hesitation.
Concluding his remarks at the ceremony, Gibbs reflected on a towering figure in motorsport. In a world populated by special drivers, Kyle Busch was a giant who captured the hearts of everyone around him, leaving a legacy that left the entire room grateful to honor him.
