Kyle Busch left Joe Gibbs Racing after 15 years. We all know this well enough now that he’s going to Richard Childress Racing. But did JGR even try to hold the two-time world champion back? Did the owner even try to make space for him?

Well, turns out he’s quite glad Busch found a seat somewhere else.

Of course, after racing for his for 15 years, and getting two Cup Series titles, Joe Gibbs wanted Busch to stay. Moreover, a recent revelation shows that he tried quite hard to hold him back with the team. “When you think about it with us, 15 years, that was awesome,” Said Gibbs, “I just really appreciate that so much. We know Mars is leaving, but that was a thrill to be with them for that amount of time.”

Mars Inc. left, putting the driver in a position where he needs to look for another team. Still, a team as big as JGR could pay to hold Busch for another season with a pay cut until another sponsor comes along? Maybe, we will never have the answer to that question. But we now know that Gibbs tried hard to keep him driving.

Read More: After His Driver Leaves Toyota, Kyle Busch’s Remark Against Dale Earnhardt Jr & Others Guilty of “Leak” Sends NASCAR Fans Into a Frenzy

The boss said, “I just think we worked hard to get everything done there. We couldn’t. I think he’s found a home, and I’ll be willing to bet he’s going to be after it next year, and he’s going to want to win a bunch of races.”

Fans don’t really buy it, though.

Kyle Busch Fans think Joe Gibbs is just making an excuse for sacking him

Gibbs gave his point of view on Busch leaving JGR. And he sure would be unhappy because it is a driver who knows the equipment and the team’s working better than any other individual on their team. Because he’s the oldest guy there. Moreover, he would have had a big role in their development, too.

However, the fans don’t really think it’s all just media talk.

WATCH THIS STORY: 5 Times Kyle Busch Proved He Deserved A Seat In Richard Childress Racing After Joe Gibbs Sacked Him