via Getty
BRISTOL, TENNESSEE – SEPTEMBER 17: Kyle Busch, driver of the #18 M&M’s Toyota, waits in the garage area after an engine failure during the NASCAR Cup Series Bass Pro Shops Night Race at Bristol Motor Speedway on September 17, 2022 in Bristol, Tennessee. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
via Getty
BRISTOL, TENNESSEE – SEPTEMBER 17: Kyle Busch, driver of the #18 M&M’s Toyota, waits in the garage area after an engine failure during the NASCAR Cup Series Bass Pro Shops Night Race at Bristol Motor Speedway on September 17, 2022 in Bristol, Tennessee. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
An era has come to an end in the Truck Series. With 2-time Cup Series champ Kyle Busch ready to turn over the reigns of his brainchild, Kyle Busch Motorsports, to Spire Motorsports, a memorable run for the winningest team in Truck Series history ended. The sale arrived as an unexpected development in the middle of the season. The buyers have reportedly acquired all facilities at the disposal of KBM, with no leftovers in the deal.
KBM has been an integral part of NASCAR since its inception. Acting as a platform for new talent to shine and Rowdy to display his talents as a team owner, the team’s departure will leave uncountable memories in Rowdy and his fans’ hearts. Translating his emotions into words, Kyle Busch put up an emotional farewell on his Twitter handle.
Kyle Busch bids a heart-touching adieu to his beloved team
With 100 wins in the tourney, KBM cemented their place as the most decorated team. Apart from that, 7 owner’s championships and 2 driver championships in 2015 and 2017 made them big guns in the sport. Since its arrival on the scene in 2010, the team was initially used as a launchpad for youngsters for Kyle Busch’s old employer, Joe Gibbs Racing. However, following Rowdy’s departure from JGR, the team shifted manufacturers to Chevrolet instead of Toyota.
What KBM has achieved over the years is a perfect reflection of the importance Kyle Busch holds as well. The No. 8 Chevy is also the most celebrated driver in the Truck Series, with 64 wins to his name. But alas, the partnership came to an end with the intervention of Spire Motorsports‘ ambitions. The transfer of ownership includes Rowdy Manufacturing and its chassis building operation assets, a CNC machine shop, and a 77,000-square-foot facility that packaged the manufacturing units and the team’s premises.
For Kyle Busch, saying goodbye isn’t easy. After more than a decade of dominance, Rowdy will have to get used to not being a team owner anymore. Speaking his mind on Twitter, he posted, “When we started the Truck Series team back in 2010, I never imagined that we would be able to win 100 races with 18 different drivers and that one day I’d be racing in the Cup Series alongside so many of the drivers that I once mentored at KBM.”
Kyle Busch statement on selling KBM to Spire: pic.twitter.com/NykcAmwEZR
— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) September 27, 2023
“I owe a lot of gratitude to so many people, starting with Samantha and my family for believing in this dream that I had. It took countless hours by so many amazing people to make KBM the winningest team in Truck Series history. I will always appreciate everyone who walked through the doors and gave their all to make this such a successful organization.”
Although it is sad to say goodbye to an iconic organization, there is no telling what the future might look like. Be it in a better or worse manner, the implications of this deal remain to be seen.
Kyle Busch admits that letting go of KBM was the right choice to make
Prior to the acquisition of Kyle Busch Motorsports, Spire was already making their moves known to the industry. Last week, they announced their partnership with rising Cup Series team Trackhouse Racing to avail the facilities of Truck Series champion Zane Smith in 2024. Smith has already signed a multi-year deal with Trackhouse and as part of the negotiations, he will be loaned out to Spire Motorsports.
KBM is meeting with its employees this morning and this is the expected news that Spire will purchase KBM (including the shop). Announcement expected today. https://t.co/5zmI2iZ00S
— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) September 27, 2023
“My family has grown, my Cup Series team changed this year and our son’s racing schedule has become as demanding as my own. It’s important to me to be able to spend more time with my family and my No. 8 team at Richard Childress Racing. It’ll be hard to walk away from the amazing facility that we’ve built. I’ll miss walking the shop floor talking with our employees, hosting our fan days in the lobby, and spending countless hours there ensuring its success. However, I know at this point in my life and in my career that this is the correct decision,” Kyle Busch added further.
As KBM’s reign comes to a close in NASCAR, fans will look back at the countless memories it supplied them with over the course of its tenure.
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