Bubba Wallace Reveals Kyle Busch Almost Fired Him from KBM In His Debut Year

The NASCAR community lost the winningest drivers in the history of the sport last week, as 41-year-old Kyle Busch passed away after getting hospitalized for severe pneumonia. Among the personalities in the garage that was heartbroken over the news was 23XI Racing Bubba Wallace, whose career was built on the opportunities provided by the late legend.

On his appearance on “Racin’ With The Boys” podcast with his close friend Ryan Blaney, the Toyota driver talked about the time where he was fired by Busch on his debut season with KBM. It took Wallace 18 races to secure his maiden win the third division, and if he hadn’t secured that win at Martinsville Kyle Busch was ready to sack him. If that had happened the sport would have seen him win four races the very next year and get promoted to the second division.  

I remember after my first season, this goes back to getting cut. My first season in trucks, I won Martinsville, which was Race 18 of 22. So, it was getting towards the end and he sat me down after the season and he was like, ‘If you didn’t win Martinsville, you weren’t coming back. But here you are. Make something happen.’ We went on to win four more the next year. Had a great year. Lost the championship because of Ryan (Blaney). But it is what it is.

Bubba Wallace said about Kyle Busch.

That moment changed the career of Bubba Wallace and he still thankful for Kyle Busch for having his back. So, when the news of the tragic passing hit his ears, the TRD racer was heartbroken as he known everything, he has built have to do with the Truck series gamble more than a decade ago. It is going to tough for the veteran to move on from the loss.

When I heard the news, I looked around and everything that was in front of me was because of him. You know? The life that I have, it all started in the Truck Series, winning my first race. … Kyle was an instrumental part to who I was and what I was about. So definitely miss him. Still think about him every day.

Bubba Wallace added via Racin’ With The Boys.

Bubba Wallace recalls one Kyle Busch moment he cherishes the most

Talking to the media ahead of the Coca Cola 600 last Sunday, Bubba Wallace shared one recent memory from Kyle Busch that he would cherish the most. After the 23Xi driver won last years Brickyard 400, the late racer in a private conversation told him he was really proud of you.

You know, we all know how much of a pain in the a** or a harda** that Kyle could be… 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 said.

It was one moment of validation Wallace will always cherish as knowing his old mentor is still keeping tabs on him was pretty special. It was an empowering moment for him and he promised he would never forget it.

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 added.

The comments from Wallace shows he much he respects the support and mentorship he got from Kyle Busch in his junior years, as it made him the solid driver, he is today. It would be interesting to see how the veteran is going to pay more tribute to Busch in the remaining races of the season.

Also Read: Kyle Larson’s Daughter Made a Heartbreaking Tribute to Kyle Busch