Bubba Wallace Reveals His Most Cherished Conversation With “Harda**” Kyle Busch

The tragic death of two times NASCAT Cup Series champion Kyle Busch has broken the hearts of many and one racer that is finding it hard to cope with the reality is 23XI Racing’s Bubba Wallace. The TRD driver made a name for himself in the Truck Series and eventually made his way to the premier division only because the late legend gave him a seat with Kyle Busch Motorsports.

Ahead of the race, the TRD driver was seen being alongside the RCR, sharing emotional moments, when they unloaded the Chevy that Busch was supposed to ride, now driven by Austin Hill. He also sat down with the media to share his cherished memories of the legend, as most of them were rare owing to the unique character of the racer.

You know, we all know how much of a pain in the a** or a harda** that Kyle could be. And at times he would make it extremely difficult to talk to. Our conversations were here and there, and the majority at the racetrack, of course. And we ran the summer shootout together. He chose to run in the Masters division, even though he wasn’t the appropriate age for it.

Bubba Wallace told Amazon Prime.

A meaningful story from @BubbaWallace about Kyle Busch. pic.twitter.com/KQlzpW2s86

— NASCAR (@NASCAR) May 24, 2026

He revealed that his last meaningful dialogue with Kyle Busch was a week after he won the 2025 Brickyard race. While he was leaving the drivers meeting, the legend dragged him to the side and told him how proud he is about Bubba Wallace’s success in the Cup. It was a proud mentor/former boss moment that only few lucky ones get to have.

And the thing that gets me the most is my last true conversation, not talking about my race car is good or tight or loose, it was the week after Indy last year, at Iowa leaving the driver’s meeting… He grabbed me and he was like, ‘I didn’t want to be in the spotlight and take your moment away, but I’m so proud of you’…

Bubba Wallace added.

Further talking about the point, he pointed out he isn’t someone that is looking for validation from his fellow driver, as they fighting each other for wins every week. But Busch is one of the very few whose opinion he cares about as the role he played behind the 23xI drivers’ rise to fame in invaluable. The veteran racer would never forget the conversation and might consider himself lucky to have that memory.

And I don’t look for a confirmation from any of the drivers, because we’re all here to compete against each other, but to know that the person that helped mold who you were is paying attention even though you’re running against each other is super empowering and caught me by surprise and I’ll never forget that moment.

Bubba Wallace asserted.

Bubba Wallace’s boss Denny Hamlin also has a complicated by beautiful memory

Denny Hamlin was Kyle Busch’s teammate at JGR from the veteran day one to the day he moved to RCR. They have over the years has built a unique relationship and just weeks before the death the duo was actually beefing with each other over some mis-interpreted comments on a podcast. They were able to talk it out and Hamlin feels he was fortunate enough to do it.

It was really unexpected. I didn’t know I was doing the appearance with him until it actually happened. But it was a good opportunity for us to just cut it up again… Being on my podcast, saying maybe this, maybe that. And like Kyle Busch, takes it personally, as he should. Says, ‘See, I can still get it done.’ And I said, ‘I’m proud of you.’

Denny Hamlin said.

.@dennyhamlin shares insight into his friendship with Kyle Busch. pic.twitter.com/HmmMCa4WT2

— Sports on Prime (@SportsonPrime) May 24, 2026

In the same conversation later, the JGR veteran highlighted how his ex-teammate is a talent on the same level as Jimmie Johnson and Jeff Gordon. The whole racing community is finding it hard to move on from the drama and it would take years for the sport to come to terms with the truth.

Also Read: Daniel Suarez Dedicates 2026 Coke 600 Win to “Special Man” Kyle Busch