“We’re disappointed and saddened.” This was Toyota Racing Development’s response to letting Kyle Busch go. The two-time Cup Series champion has been a mainstay in the Japanese OEM since he joined Joe Gibbs Racing in 2008. However, Busch left JGR at the end of 2022 due to sponsorship woes and packed his bags to move into Richard Childress Racing in Chevrolet. It has been over two years – so something baffled fans recently.

After a winless and dismal 2024 Cup Series season, Kyle Busch is gearing up for a grand dirt event. The Chili Bowl Nationals is scheduled to run January 13th-18th at SageNet Center. The RCR star is gearing up for his debut in the Super Bowl of Midget Racing – but with a curious development.

Is Kyle Busch joining hands with a former partner?

TRD has a story of success with Kyle Busch. Before 2007, Busch clinched only four Cup victories under Hendrick Motorsports. Yet the legendary racer’s real streak kicked off when he joined Toyota. Busch went on a rollercoaster ride of victories with JGR – clinching 56 Cup race wins and two Cup Series titles (2015, 2019). That streak ended when Busch joined RCR.

Under Chevrolet, the veteran has fetched only three victories across two seasons – with 2024 snapping a 19-year victorious streak. Yet Busch has not entirely severed his relations with his former automotive partner. The 37th running of the Chili Bowl Nationals has a lot of anticipation surrounding it. That is because Cup Series legends like Kyle Larson, Christopher Bell, and Kyle Busch are attending. And preparations are in full swing – with Busch gearing up for his grand debut. He already performed remarkably at the Tulsa Shootout – he won the 30-lap Winged Outlaw race and the winged A-Class race. After these dirt racing triumphs, he is excited for his next dirt event – with the help of Toyota?!

Yes, you read that right – Busch posted a few photos of a FloRacing-sponsored Chili Bowl ride, with TRD’s logo splashed on it. Busch wrote, “Back in the Expo. See y’all on Friday.😎”

This collaboration should come as a shocker to the NASCAR community, considering the emotional farewell that Busch bade to Toyota in 2022. The OEM gave him the ultimate salute back then: “Kyle has been an ambassador for Toyota since joining the program in 2008. He’s gone on to accumulate some of the most prestigious milestones possible for the Toyota brand. He will undoubtedly hold the record for the most wins in a Toyota across all three Championship Series for decades to come.” This sorrowful departure was only natural after a trophy-riddled career.

Nevertheless, fans are equally baffled at this sudden reunion between Busch and Toyota.

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The NASCAR community expresses their bewilderment

Well, Kyle Busch’s exit from Joe Gibbs‘ fold was not so pleasant. In 2022, long-time partner Mars Wrigley announced its departure, and Gibbs fumbled for a deep-pocketed sponsor to retain Busch. However, the veteran racer faced an excruciatingly long free agency period – and in the end bid adieu due to the lack of a sponsor. So this sudden appearance of that lost partnership made some jaws drop. Fans peppered the comment section of Busch’s post with their surprise. “TRD 🤔,” one fan quipped with a puzzled face emoji. Another fan’s querulous comment was succinct and to the point, without any frills. “TRD?”

Kyle Busch’s Instagram post was intended to draw great enthusiasm from his army of fans. A 231-time NASCAR race winner will debut at the renowned Chili Bowl, and this is enough to dazzle the racing community. Fans are eager to see the color, make, and design of his racing vehicle. However, TRD’s presence robbed most of the spotlight, as one fan said: “TRD was the first thing I saw.” Undoubtedly, Busch’s golden age was with Toyota – the driver-OEM bond produced a whopping 56 race wins. So the excitement was visible in another fan’s words: “TRD?! What is that special gem?!”

However, somebody broke this bubble of surprise. Even Kyle Larson, an established Chevrolet racer, has raced under Toyota’s banner in dirt events. He beat three-time champion Christopher Bell to win the 2020 Chili Bowl Nationals – which marked Toyota’s 6th straight win. Kyle Busch has also raced in other dirt events under TRD, as a fan pointed out: “I see people questioning about the TRD thing.. He raced it before, last years. Nothing new right here.!”

Evidently, fans are bubbling with curiosity about Kyle Busch’s Chili Bowl debut. Who knows, maybe he will dazzle us with Toyota’s aid!