Austin Dillon’s heartfelt letter remembering RCR teammate Kyle Busch

“I’ll begin in the beginning. I grew up watching a larger-than-life determine drive race automobiles like he was born to do it. Dale was a superhero in my home and when he handed his legend solely grew. The bar was set excessive from a younger age.

“Rising up round my grandfather and watching him maintain Dale in such excessive regards as a driver, good friend, and competitor, I by no means thought anybody else might examine. It was plain and easy. There was Dale, after which there was everybody else.

“I grew up round some nice drivers that got here via RCR, together with Corridor of Fame drivers. However throughout that point, there was one man on one other staff, and all of us knew that when he confirmed up, we had been preventing for second place.

“It was clear each race who had essentially the most expertise and who hated to lose essentially the most. For apparent causes, my household was by no means the most important fan of this man. He was the enemy on the time, and he was exhausting to beat. I might by no means actually present my fandom, however secretly I used to be a fan.

“My Grandpa actually hated shedding to this man, however I do know he revered him. This man actually owned the Truck Collection. When he confirmed up, it was a superb day should you completed second. As a driver, should you beat him, your truck was most likely sooner, so that you by no means actually beat him, your staff did. So, did anybody ever actually beat him? I don’t know, nevertheless it felt dang good should you did since you felt such as you completed one thing that day.

“Shifting from Friday to Saturday, properly yeah, he owned Saturdays, too. At occasions, he appeared like he was in a Cup automotive racing on Saturday. His depth each lap and willingness to make any transfer impressed a technology of racecar drivers.

“His Rowdy restarts had been one in all a sort. This man might fireplace off sooner than everybody and by the point his tires had been shot it was time to pit. As soon as once more, should you beat him, you actually had been doing one thing. It was nearly an prompt qualification that you simply is likely to be a race automotive driver.

“He beloved racing a lot that he determined to construct his personal race staff whereas he drove. I had gained sufficient respect from him that he provided me the possibility to drive for his new staff. I used to be blown away that he had sufficient respect for me to supply me a experience. Admittedly, it didn’t go over so properly with my Grandpa (and I’m not so positive that isn’t why he took off his watch that one time).

“All through the years, I used to be capable of compete towards the man on the Cup degree the place he gained a number of championships and races. Throughout that time-frame, I had a number of totally different teammates every bringing one thing totally different to the desk.

“If you turned out there in 2023 it was a no brainer that we needed to go after you. Once I made the decision, your response was hilarious. You requested, ‘Do you suppose your Grandpa would need me?’ I had already checked with my Grandpa, and his response was the identical as yours, ‘Do you suppose he would need to come to RCR?’ I mentioned ‘sure. You each are the identical individuals. You’re RACERS.’

“After we bought nearer to signing, I might inform how excited my grandpa was. I began listening to issues like ‘He’s the one man I’ve ever seen drive like Dale. He takes no prisoners.’ That made me completely satisfied, realizing my grandpa had a driver that bought him fired up the best way Dale did.

“As we began off your first season with RCR, you took off such as you at all times did. You drove proper to the entrance. However this time, you had been in our automotive. You turned household. I watched you’re employed, push, prod, and convey prompt success to RCR.

“Your mentality and mindset rubbed off on these round you, and the staff within the store. They knew that you simply introduced a typical of excellence. It wasn’t at all times roses. The wins bought tougher to come back by, however the grind and mentality by no means modified.

“I watched you battle with our race automobiles and spend numerous hours within the sim attempting to get outcomes. I used to be most impressed by your battle when issues bought to their lowest. You stood your floor. Individuals had been speaking, however they didn’t know the work that was being put in behind the scenes. That model of KB is the one I’m most pleased with. The one which was going to place us again the place we needed to be – within the Winner’s Circle.

“I can’t thanks sufficient, KB. You’re the final racer and my favourite teammate and driver of all time. I at all times felt like I had your again and also you had mine.

“My favourite conversations with you had been our conversations about Brexton and his skills on the race observe. I understand how completely satisfied and excited he made you. You raised one of many nicest, well-mannered children, and that may be a direct reflection of his mother and father. Sam is one robust lady and the most effective MOMager within the enterprise. I promise to at all times be there for Sam, Brex, and Lennix. They’re RCR household for all times.

“I like you brother. Myself and the entire RCR staff will maintain preventing and striving for extra victories in your reminiscence.”