Toyota Racing President Says Losing Kyle Busch Before His NASCAR Retirement Would Be A Huge Disappointment For The Manufacturer & Joe Gibbs Racing!

Kyle Busch is one of the most successful drivers in NASCAR racing history. The 37-year-old made his debut with Hendrick Motorsports and stayed with the racing team for three seasons before joining Joe Gibb\’s Racing team. The same year Toyota joined JGR in a potential driver-owner and manufacturer partnership which has lasted for more than a decade and a half.  

On Tuesday, Toyota Racing Development President David Wilson revealed that the carmaker would do anything to keep its partnership with Kyle Busch and Joe Gibbs Racing. Wilson also hinted that Toyota hopes to continue the partnership with the Busch family even after Kyle\’s retirement. He hopes that Busch\’s son will continue his father\’s legacy in NASCAR. 

Kyle has been driving Toyota\’s No. 18 for Joe Gibbs\’ team since 2008. During his tenure with the team, Kyle has clinched 56 of his 61 NASCAR Cup Series wins with Joe Gibbs Racing. His contract with JGR will end after the season concludes. And Busch has spoken openly about his contract status on several occasions in recent weeks.

Wilson Hints Toyota\’s Partnership With Kyle Busch Will Continue In The Future

Wilson talked about Busch\’s brilliant run with the manufacturer over the years. The Toyota President pointed out that Kyle had won 203 NASCAR national series races in a Toyota car. David shared that Toyota has been close to Kyle for years. The driver and manufacturer relationship developed through the trials and controversies that the two parties have gone through together. Wilson further said they faced a tough time too. But Kyle won two championships for them and celebrated 1500 starts across three national series recently.

Further, Wilson added that he keeps Kyle\’s stats handy all the time as he is the driver who has clinched 36% of Toyota\’s total wins across three series. So, Joe Gibbs and Toyota would be monstrously disappointed if Kyle Busch left the partnership before his retirement. Moreover, Wilson hopes that Busch will stay a part of the Toyota family and make overtures for his son Brixton. Kyle\’s son turns seven on Wednesday, and Wilson thinks Brixton could keep his father\’s legacy with Toyota going, beginning by joining his father\’s Camping World Truck Series team. 

Meanwhile, the TRD president mentioned that the teams generally work the deals well ahead of deadlines with top-tier drivers like Kyle Busch. And the current contract situation is a rarity. Wilson told that the team is working on the situation. In addition, Davis was optimistic about Kyle\’s deal as the duo talked about the issue every week. 

The TRD executive assured that Kyle had no plans of going anywhere else. He can\’t wait for his little boy to race in a Toyota Tundra out of the Kyle Busch Motorsports pit. Wilson told that Kyle has his sight set on the dream, which could become a reality after a decade. Hence, the driver and the carmaker need to make sure their relationship lasts even after Busch decides to retire. In addition, Davis said, \”If nothing else, I can\’t envision any other scenario. Any other scenario is just unacceptable.\”