In a move that sent shockwaves through the motorsports world, two-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Kyle Busch recently announced the $25 million sale of Kyle Busch Motorsports (KBM), a decision he described as “one of the most difficult and emotionally exhausting of my life.” For over a decade, KBM had stood as a proving ground for future NASCAR stars and a symbol of Busch’s commitment to growing the sport. Now, as he parts ways with the team he built from the ground up, Busch is opening up about the behind-the-scenes struggles that led to the high-profile deal.
Founded in 2010, KBM quickly rose to prominence in the NASCAR Truck Series. With state-of-the-art facilities and Busch’s relentless pursuit of excellence, the team earned multiple driver and owner championships and helped launch the careers of top-tier talents like Christopher Bell, Erik Jones, and William Byron. However, despite its success on the track, Busch said the day-to-day realities of running a competitive team began to take a toll — financially, emotionally, and logistically.
“People see the wins, the trophies, the drivers we’ve helped, and they assume it’s all glory,” Busch shared in an exclusive interview. “But behind the scenes, it was a grind. Trying to secure sponsorships, managing rising costs, making sure we were competitive every week — it became overwhelming, especially with the added responsibility of my Cup career and my family.”
The economic strain of maintaining a championship-caliber team in the Truck Series had intensified in recent years. Busch admitted that despite having a loyal fanbase and strong brand recognition, KBM’s operational costs far exceeded projections. “The truth is, unless you’re a Cup Series team with massive backing, making the numbers work is incredibly tough,” he explained. “The return on investment just wasn’t there anymore.”
Compounding matters was Busch’s switch from Joe Gibbs Racing to Richard Childress Racing in 2023. The transition brought new priorities and a different team environment that further complicated his ability to remain hands-on at KBM. “My heart will always be in the sport, but I had to be realistic. I couldn’t be in two places at once, and I couldn’t keep draining resources into something that was becoming unsustainable,” he said.
Ultimately, Busch made the difficult decision to sell KBM to Spire Motorsports, an up-and-coming organization in NASCAR that has shown a clear commitment to long-term growth. While the $25 million figure has raised eyebrows across the industry, Busch emphasized that the decision was never about money. “This was never a cash grab. It was about making sure the legacy of KBM continued in the right hands. I believe Spire will carry the torch forward in a way that honors everything we’ve built.”
Despite the sale, Busch remains proud of KBM’s legacy. The team accumulated over 100 wins in the Truck Series and played a critical role in shaping NASCAR’s next generation of stars. He hopes his story serves as a reminder of both the opportunities and challenges facing team owners in today’s racing landscape.
“To all the young drivers we’ve mentored, to the fans who supported us, and to every crew member who gave their all — thank you,” Busch said, visibly emotional. “This chapter is closing, but I’m not done giving back to the sport. I just have to do it in a new way now.”
As Kyle Busch turns the page on this major chapter of his NASCAR journey, the motorsports world watches closely — not only to see what’s next for him, but also to witness the evolution of the sport he’s helped shape for nearly two decades.
