Kyle Busch drove for Joe Gibbs Racing in NASCAR's top series for 16 seasons, winning the 2015 Cup Series championship

Kyle Busch spent most of his NASCAR Cup Series career with Joe Gibbs Racing, a team owned by former NFL coach Joe Gibbs. Busch joined the team in 2008 and remained there through 2022, making it the longest and most successful partnership of his career. During those 15 seasons, he won 60 Cup Series races, the 2015 championship, and became one of the most recognizable drivers in NASCAR.

In 2023, Busch moved to Richard Childress Racing, another established NASCAR organization. This marked a significant shift after his long tenure at Joe Gibbs Racing. Understanding which team Busch drove for depends on which era of his career you're asking about, since his team changed multiple times before and after his years at Joe Gibbs.

Key Takeaways

  • Kyle Busch drove for Joe Gibbs Racing from 2008 to 2022, winning 60 races and the 2015 Cup Series championship with the team.
  • Before joining Joe Gibbs Racing, Busch drove for Hendrick Motorsports and other teams in the Cup Series starting in 2004.
  • Busch also competed in NASCAR's Craftsman Truck Series and Xfinity Series, driving for multiple teams in those divisions simultaneously.
  • In 2023, Busch moved to Richard Childress Racing, ending his 15-year relationship with Joe Gibbs Racing.

Kyle Busch at Joe Gibbs Racing (2008–2022)

Joe Gibbs Racing was Busch's primary home in the Cup Series for 15 seasons. The team, founded by Gibbs in 1992, is one of NASCAR's most successful organizations. During Busch's time there, he drove the No. 18 car, which became closely associated with his name and success.

Busch's 2015 season stands out as his peak at the team. He won 5 races that year and captured the Cup Series championship, cementing his place among NASCAR's elite drivers. Beyond 2015, he consistently finished in the top 10 in points and won multiple races in most seasons, making Joe Gibbs Racing competitive year after year.

The partnership ended after the 2022 season when Busch and the team mutually agreed to part ways. By that point, Busch had become a veteran driver with a proven track record, and the move to Richard Childress Racing represented a new chapter in his career.

Early Career Teams Before Joe Gibbs Racing

Before joining Joe Gibbs Racing, Busch drove for Hendrick Motorsports starting in 2004. Hendrick is one of NASCAR's most prestigious teams, and Busch drove the No. 5 car during his early Cup Series years. He showed promise as a young driver but did not achieve the same level of success at Hendrick that he would later find at Joe Gibbs Racing.

Busch also drove for other teams in brief stints, including Furniture Row Racing and other organizations, as he worked his way up through NASCAR's ranks. These early years were important for his development as a driver, even though his championship success came later at Joe Gibbs Racing.

Truck Series and Xfinity Series Teams

Kyle Busch's racing career extended beyond the Cup Series. He competed in NASCAR's Craftsman Truck Series (formerly the Craftsman Truck Series) and the Xfinity Series, often driving for multiple teams in different divisions during the same season. This approach allowed him to gain experience and compete more frequently than Cup Series racing alone would permit.

In the Truck Series, Busch drove for teams including Kyle Busch Motorsports, a racing organization he owns. In the Xfinity Series, he drove for various teams over the years. These lower-level series are common stepping stones for drivers developing their skills, though Busch competed in them even after becoming a Cup Series regular, using them to stay sharp and build additional wins.

Kyle Busch Motorsports Ownership

Beyond driving for other teams, Busch founded and owns Kyle Busch Motorsports, which fields trucks in the Craftsman Truck Series. As an owner-driver, Busch competed in his own team's vehicles while also managing the organization. This dual role as both driver and team owner is uncommon in NASCAR and reflects Busch's standing in the sport.

Kyle Busch Motorsports has become a competitive Truck Series team, and Busch's involvement as owner has given him insight into team operations and management beyond what most drivers experience. The team continues to operate independently from his driving career.

Richard Childress Racing (2023 Onward)

In 2023, Busch joined Richard Childress Racing, driving the No. 8 car. Richard Childress Racing is one of NASCAR's oldest and most storied organizations, founded in 1981. The move represented Busch's first team change in 15 years and signaled a new phase of his career as he entered his late 40s.

At Richard Childress Racing, Busch continued to compete at the Cup Series level, bringing his experience and winning mentality to the team. The partnership represented a continuation of his professional racing career rather than a retirement, showing that Busch remained competitive and sought-after by top NASCAR organizations.

Frequently Asked Questions

What team did Kyle Busch drive for the longest?

Joe Gibbs Racing, from 2008 to 2022. That 15-year partnership was the longest and most successful of his Cup Series career, during which he won 60 races and the 2015 championship.

Did Kyle Busch ever drive for Hendrick Motorsports?

Yes, Busch drove for Hendrick Motorsports starting in 2004, early in his Cup Series career. He drove the No. 5 car before moving to Joe Gibbs Racing in 2008.

What team does Kyle Busch drive for now?

As of 2023, Kyle Busch drives for Richard Childress Racing in the Cup Series, piloting the No. 8 car. He also owns and competes in Kyle Busch Motorsports in the Truck Series.

Does Kyle Busch own a racing team?

Yes, Kyle Busch Motorsports fields trucks in NASCAR's Craftsman Truck Series. Busch founded the team and has competed as both owner and driver in the Truck Series.