Kyle Busch Feb 26, 2023; Fontana, California, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver Kyle Busch (8) during the Pala Casino 400 at Auto Club Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

Kyle Busch has his lovers and his haters, but no one can deny his talent behind the wheel. After moving to Richard Childress Racing, Busch wasted little time to get into victory lane. Busch won the Pala Casino 400 in just his second points race for RCR.

Not only was this Busch’s 61st NASCAR Cup Series victory, he set a historic record that stood for almost 50 years. Busch won at least one race for 19 consecutive seasons, passing Richard Petty (1960-1977) for the longest streak in NASCAR history. Busch’s 61 wins puts him ninth all-time, passing Kevin Harvick. Next on the career wins list is Dale Earnhardt at 76.

Over the past couple seasons, Busch’s wins dried up a bit. Busch left it to the 34th race of the season to get his first win in 2020. And then after winning twice in 2021, Busch won just once in 2022 in the Bristol Dirt Race.

Busch has been in contention to win every race since moving to Chevrolet. In the Busch Light Clash at the Coliseum, he finished third. In the Daytona 500, Busch crashed during Overtime, but had the lead after 500 miles and had a great shot at the win. Now, Busch got the job done as RCR looks to be hitting on all cylinders. Not just for Busch’s team, but for Austin Dillon’s #3, who finished second in the Clash, crashed with Busch at Daytona, and finished ninth in Fontana.

Given Busch is 37, there is a good chance he can extend this most consecutive seasons with a win record. That just goes to show the absolute longevity of Kyle Busch.

 

About Phillip Bupp

Producer/editor of the Awful Announcing Podcast and Short and to the Point. News editor for The Comeback and Awful Announcing. Highlight consultant for Major League Soccer as well as a freelance writer for hire. Opinions are my own but feel free to agree with them.

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