When Kurt Busch finally won the Daytona 500, NASCAR’s crown jewel, his mother, Gaye Busch, was back home in North Carolina, not at the track. But she was right there in spirit, cheering him on with tears streaming down her face. After years of heartbreak and near misses, Kurt crossed the finish line in the black No. 41, making the one race that had always eluded him finally his. Gaye described the moment with raw emotion: “I just couldn’t believe it. We’ve all been waiting for this. He kept finishing second. It’s such an honor to accomplish this, and we’re just so thrilled for him.”

She didn’t text right away, knowing it would be buried under congratulations. When Kurt called her later, the emotion poured out. He joked about the rear-view mirror falling off mid-race, comparing it to his early racing days in Las Vegas. “You guys were with me in the car,” he told her. The conversation circled back to how far they had come. Gaye and Tom Busch, her husband, sacrificed everything to support Kurt and Kyle’s racing dreams. From long drives to local tracks to the terrifying injuries, they rode the highs and lows as a family.

Kyle Busch knows that pain and sacrifice too well. In 2015, he crashed hard at Daytona, breaking both legs. Gaye never forgot that day. “She just wanted us to come home,” Kurt once said, revealing his mom’s dread of superspeedways. Despite all that, she stood strong. And now, on a day meant to honor mothers, it was Kyle’s turn to look back, and forward, with gratitude and heart. On this Mother’s Day, Kyle Busch didn’t just race. He paused to honor the two most important women in his life, his wife, Samantha, and his mother, Gaye.

Kyle Busch’s heartfelt tribute to Samantha!

Kyle Busch has always been known for his fierce competitive side. But on Mother’s Day, fans saw something else, a softer, more reflective Kyle. “Happy Mother’s Day @samanthabusch! I love this life we’ve built together,” he wrote, attaching photos of Samantha and Gaye. “Every day is always something different with raising 2 great kids, chasing races, and the occasional tequila shot! Love you, babe!” It was a window into the everyday life of NASCAR’s “Rowdy,” who’s now also a husband and a father.

The message reached fans during a difficult stretch, 67 races without a win. Yet in the post, there was no sign of that pressure. Just love. Notably, Samantha and Kyle have been married for nearly 15 years. Together, they’ve overcome challenges that go far beyond the track. From infertility struggles to Kyle’s ups and downs in the Cup Series, Samantha has remained his rock. “You’re the best thing that has ever happened to me,” Kyle once wrote in an anniversary note.

Samantha isn’t just a supportive spouse, she’s the core of the Busch family. With their son Brexton already competing in youth races, the pressure in their household isn’t just Kyle’s anymore. Brexton wants to win, too. And when things don’t go well, it’s Samantha who steps in. Kyle admitted to it while talking with Kevin Harvick last year. He said, “There are times when I want to get on him about something… and Samantha helps kind of smooth things over.”

Even when Brexton has rough days, like finishing last in karting, Samantha encourages growth, not criticism. “Mom, can I watch a film, and can we get out on the track with someone with experience?” Brexton had asked. Samantha proudly shared the moment, showing how he bounces back because of the safe space she’s created. She balances Kyle’s intense focus, Brexton’s growing ambitions, and Lennix’s toddler energy, all with grace.

Kyle didn’t forget to honor his mother either. In the same Instagram post, he wrote, “Of course, Happy Mother’s Day to my mom, who devoted so much to allow me to reach my dreams! Love you!” It was a tribute to the foundation she built. From long hours at the track to helping manage early sponsorships and travel, Gaye Busch has been there every step of the way. She’s also lived with the fear that comes with racing. Especially after Kyle’s brutal crash in 2015 at Daytona. Gaye has always worried more at restrictor-plate races.

“She just wanted us to come home,” Kurt once said. But on Mother’s Day, Kyle didn’t talk about crashes or fear. He spoke from the heart, thankful for the sacrifices that built his life. From Las Vegas dirt tracks to the biggest stage in NASCAR, his mom was always behind him. But as the emotional posts settled, the spotlight also shifted to a rising tension within Busch’s team, one that could impact the rest of his season.

Trending

1

NASCAR Rumor: Fans Drooling As Richard Petty’s Partner (Almost) Confirms American Manufacturer’s Return

2

Former HMS Star Breaks Silence On Disheartening NASCAR Cup Series Exit With Startling Claim

3

Rick Hendrick’s NASCAR Driver Labeled a “Little B—-” as Fans Surprisingly Attack Unsuspecting Cup Series Star

4

FOX Broadcaster Gets Teary Eyed, Publicly Disclosing Emotional Moment as Call Mounts Against Jamie Little

5

Denny Hamlin Makes Feelings Clear on His Baby Boy’s Racing Future

RCR’s uneasy ride troubles Busch!

Through the first 11 races of the 2025 NASCAR season, things have been rocky at Richard Childress Racing, especially for the No. 8 team. Kyle Busch, the two-time champion, started strong with three top 10s in the first four races. But the last seven have been rough. He’s only grabbed one more top 10, a 10th at Darlington, and has finished 20th or worse four times. Meanwhile, Austin Dillon, behind the wheel of the No. 3 car, has found his rhythm.

After a shaky start that included two finishes worse than 32nd, he’s come alive in the last six races. With four top-15s and three straight top 10s, Dillon is outpacing Busch, and that’s starting to raise eyebrows. The internal pressure reached a new high during qualifying at Kansas. Busch had a promising run going until he made a mistake and slammed the wall. Spotter Derek Kneeland didn’t hold back: “Right side’s [expletive] killed. We dragged it from the billboards all the way until we were straight off of four.”

Crew chief Randall Burnett tried to calm things down but admitted the car had been on track for a solid fifth or sixth. Busch’s voice over the radio was quiet but heavy. “Do we have a garage number?” he asked. It wasn’t anger, it was frustration. RCR is clearly not in sync. Busch qualified 35th. Dillon? 20th. While Busch wrestles with on-track setbacks and garage tension, the narrative around RCR is shifting. Dillon is rising. Busch is slipping. And inside the garage, the silence is getting louder.