Is There a Future For Kyle Busch at Joe Gibbs Racing?

Kyle Busch commented on his contract negotiations with Joe Gibbs Racing this past weekend at Talladega. Door Bumper Clear's Brett Griffin, Freddie Kraft and TJ Majors speculate about the possibility of him leaving JGR, which other team could court him, and why they ultimately think Busch brought his negotiations public.

[satinwhip]

I'm not a Kyle Busch fan but I am thoroughly enjoying watching people getting spun up because Kyle Busch is behaving exactly the way Kyle Busch has behaved his entire career.

[chadjiles]

I'm as old school as it gets, but the more people complain about Kyle Busch speaking his mind the more of a fan I become of his

[biggyfry]

I just don't understand why everyone is so upset with Kyle on this one. He was asked the question, he answered it. Gibbs already did this to Kenseth, Kyle watched it happen. He knows what the possibilities are.

[jameshunt]

Kyle Busch knows how to keep everybody talking !

[isaiahburridgemusic]

Wow, wasn't expecting a hit piece on Kyle Busch. The rest of the field act like robots on a leash. Kyle is the last of a generation that tells you exactly how he feels.

Kyle Busch doesn't need any of this mind you. He's the dad of a future driver now and I think he's going to be stepping into that role more and more.

[truckerk]

I think the sponsors love his attitude. It gets attention. Bad or good it’s attention. That is why they stuck with him.

[bobcats]

Watching the Three Stooges here, they are so jealous of Kyles success.

[peterbrownless]

Kyle is Kyle and both Gibbs and Toyota got the guy they saw.

This conversation centered around $$$. Obviously important but I also get a feeling Kyle is not happy with the performance of the cars basically since that last championship in 2019. Last two seasons are poor by Gibbs and Kyle's (high) standards/ expectations.

I think he'll continue in #18 for another couple of years then quit and get more hands on at KBM.

[orrinsandlin]

The Kyle Busch slander here is wild. The guys has never really got in trouble off the track. Always talks about how great his sponsors are, wins alot and just gets killed every time he shows an ounce of personality and frustration. Wild. They talk like he should still be on his knees thanking Joe Gibbs for a ride every chance he gets instead of acting like he won 2 rings and 60 races

[andrewfotopoulos]

It would surprise me if Kyle signed with anyone else. Like him or not, I think his response is spot on. He is the best driver in that company. That's even if TY Gibbs were to come to cup tomorrow. The ownership shouldn't think twice about making a deal. Without Kyle they have no reputation. No brainer.

[dannyruckert]

More people that have conversations about Kyle, and more he's relevant in media conversation. More his stock goes up!

[prr]

So… both these huge boys are biased against KB, Obviously!! Neither one of them would take 1/2 a pay cut from what they’re making? What a stupid statement! Kyle’s W Column is what gets him his paycheck size! Appreciate greatness while it’s here!!

[customelectricquarterscale]

He knows what he’s worth. He’s confident and from that caliber of a driver I would expect anything less.

[tnwhiskey]

If he personally can lock a sponsor then he'll go wherever. Hopefully him and Kurt open their own Toyota team. KKB or Busch Bros!

[vickifree]

Your opinions don't matter. Kyle is an awesome and talented driver. He's earned my respect and one of my favorites drivers.

[Majorbanjo]

Don't act like M&Ms hasn't made millions and millions off Kyle

[leng]

I agree that Kyle could've been more diplomatic. However, we don't know what's been going on and SAID behind the scenes. He may feel really pissed right now.

[monarchguitar]

whatever the greatest race car driver in history wants he gets .

[toddmoney]

Kyle acting like Kyle is a huge reason why he brings big bucks to JGR and to Toyota. Win or lose he draws attention and attention is money for everyone involved. Macho boy here getting all bent over Kyle’s behavior is just stoking the blaze Kyle started with one match!

[funkengruven]

You left out the fact that Kyle Bush is a dream driver for any brand. How much TV time and brand recognition has he brought to M&M/Mars since starting with JGR. Two championships and the M&Ms brand front and center at nearly every race for almost his entire career. I think Mars is simply ready to invest those dollars somewhere else. They've had a long and prosperous relationship with NASCAR including multiple championships. For Mars there is nothing left to achieve... Also, who knows what kind of changes they've experienced in their own management. It's been long enough for a changing of the guard over at Mars...a change to a new generation who could care less about NASCAR and who have strong opinions about where they should be investing their marketing dollars. Folks like our host here who in their rush to criticize have forgotten NASCAR's roots, traditions, and the fact that we NEED drivers with personality. God save us from more William Byron clones... Nothing against William, but he about as exciting as watching paint dry. You look at those half empty stands each week (stands that have already been downsized to make the meager crowds look larger) and you tell all of us how Kyle Bush being himself is a bad thing and "disrespectful".