The Time When Kyle Busch Gave Up a Potential Formula 1 Seat for a Dinner Banquet

Kyle Busch by himself, with everything that he’s achieved and everything that he’s still capable of achieving, is inarguably one of the greatest racecar drivers to have ever come out of the United States. The fans unanimously heralded the Joe Gibbs Racing driver’s racing skills as well as those who are part of NASCAR.

However, there was a time back in the day when Busch’s talents could’ve jumped out of a stock car and embedded themselves into a Formula 1 car.

Yes, that’s right. The two-time NASCAR champion was once scheduled for an F1 test for Toyota back in 2008, but for ‘some reason’, he couldn’t make it. That ‘some reason’ in this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity was the fact that he had to attend the Nationwide Series Banquet.

In fact, in an interview ahead of the race at COTA, a racetrack that F1 also visits once a year, he spoke about the realistic possibilities of him being an F1 driver, or at least giving it a shot.

“I’d love to, it’s just impossible to do,” he said.

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“There are so many rules and stipulations and things you have to do to become a Formula 1 driver. You need what’s called a super license to be able to race an F1-style car. It would basically take two to four years to get.”

Hendrick legend suggests Joe Gibbs Racing let Kyle Busch go under one scenario

In a recent interview, Steve Letarte, the Hendrick Motorsports legend, theorized the conditions and circumstances under which Joe Gibbs Racing should let someone who is as big an asset as Kyle Busch is, leave.

“Kyle Busch is a two-time champion and assuming they can agree on his value and sponsorship and the business side of Kyle Busch, I would prefer him back in the #18 if I’m Joe Gibbs Racing because Kyle Busch is Kyle Busch,” Letarte said.

Do you think Kyle Busch’s time with JGR is up? Let us know in the comments below.