NASCAR’s got a colorful history of drivers tangling with the law, a reminder that the high-octane life on the track can spill into off-road drama. Jeremy Mayfield’s saga stands out as one of the toughest, suspended in 2009 after failing a drug test, he faced multiple arrests for meth possession and theft, effectively ending his Cup career. Tim Richmond, the 1980s’ flashy star, dealt with reckless driving charges amid his battles with illness that cut his run short.

Kurt Busch’s 2015 indefinite suspension came after domestic violence allegations, though prosecutors dropped charges for lack of evidence, allowing his return. And Tony Stewart’s 2014 sprint car incident, where he struck and killed Kevin Ward Jr. during a dirt race, led to a grand jury clearance but a wrongful death suit that gripped the sport.

Kyle Busch, the two-time champ with 63 Cup wins, recently found himself in a border-crossing bind that had fans holding their breath.  Now, on the latest episode of Secrets Never Spilled Before with his wife Samantha, the couple broke their silence, laughing off the ordeal with stories that mix humor and heart.

Busch and Samantha share the jail story

On the latest Secrets Never Spilled Before episode, Samantha Busch kicked off the story with a mix of humor and honesty, “We had a great trip and then Kyle got arrested in Mexico… and was in Mexican prison for 3 days.” The incident unfolded in January 2023 at Cancun Airport, where authorities discovered the handgun and ammo in his luggage.

Under Mexico’s zero-tolerance laws, even U.S. concealed carry permits don’t fly, leading to Busch’s conviction and conditional sentence. He avoided a lengthy stay, paying a bond and navigating legal hurdles to return home, but the three days in holding were no vacation. Samantha’s light-hearted retelling captures the absurdity of the situation, turning a scary moment into a family anecdote that shows their resilience.

Kyle jumped in with a funny detail, “The lady that was next to me in the holding cell… also brought a gun into Mexico in her purse.” While specifics on cellmates aren’t public, U.S. Embassy advisories warn of frequent firearm detentions for American tourists, often due to forgotten guns in luggage. Busch’s story highlights the common pitfall, over 200 such cases in 2022 alone, making his quip a nod to the shared mishaps of travelers caught off guard by Mexico’s rules.

He added a sweet touch, “Her husband brought her breakfast, lunch and dinner. My wife brought me breakfast, lunch and dinner.” Family support during detainment varies, but Samantha’s role underscores the Busch duo’s bond. Though not detailed in reports, her presence echoes how loved ones rally in tough spots, turning a low into a testament of partnership.

Busch wrapped with a tale, “A guy I know at JGR… had a friend who went to Mexico who also brought a gun… They called me asking for tips to help him get out.” Firearm incidents are common enough that Busch’s high-profile case made him a go-to for advice, aligning with the U.S. Embassy’s frequent warnings about the risks for Americans. The couple’s laughter throughout shows they’ve moved past it, using humor to reclaim the story.

Can Busch still play spoiler at Bristol?

With the 2025 playoffs hitting the Round of 16 cutoff at Bristol, Kyle Busch is primed to be the ultimate spoiler. The two-time champ with 63 Cup wins, the most among active drivers, heads into the Bass Pro Shops Night Race hungry after an 85-race winless streak since his June 2023 Gateway triumph. Denny Hamlin’s second with 59 wins, but Busch’s eight Bristol victories (nine including the 2022 dirt race) make him the king of the concrete coliseum. Hamlin’s got four, but Busch’s history screams spoiler potential.

The frustration’s real, Busch missed the playoffs for the second straight year, the first time ever. “Bristol’s one of my favorite tracks, if not my favorite,” he said in Chevrolet’s media release. “I love going there, it’s obviously a great place. It reminds me of the local short track atmosphere that you get on Saturday nights, growing up racing late models and things like that. It’s a lot of fun, I love the banking, I love the concrete and just the nature of that place.”

His last concrete win was 2019, and the Night Race in 2017, but at 40, he’s “practically anorexic” for a victory, recently Kevin Harvick also pointed out that he might just be pushing the car too hard. Playoff drivers like Larson, Hamlin, and Briscoe will be cautious, but Busch, with nothing to lose, could unleash chaos on the high banks, stealing a win and shaking up the field just like Erik Jones did in 2018.