Kyle Busch

Kyle Thomas Busch is a professional race car driver who competes in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. He was born on May 2, 1985 in Las Vegas, Nevada and is the younger brother of Kurt Busch, who is also a Sprint Cup Series driver.

He is often referred to as "Shrub", being the younger Busch. He is also called "Rowdy Busch" or "Little Busch", and was recently named "Wild Thing" by announcer Mike Joy for his bold and daring moves on the racetrack.

Kyle Busch is employed by Joe Gibbs Racing to drive the #18 M&M's Toyota Camry in the Sprint Cup Series. He also competes in the Nationwide Series, driving the #92 Zippo Blu Toyota Camry for D'Hondt Motorsports, as well as the #51 Miccosukee Resorts / NOS Energy Drink Toyota Tundra under Billy Ballew Motorsports in the Craftsman Truck Series.

At the age of 6, Busch had his first driving lessons in the form of a makeshift go-kart. Although he was too small to reach the throttle, Busch still was able to pick up the basics thanks to father Tom, who controlled the gas pedal as his young son steered the kart.

Growing up, Busch spent countless hours serving as an apprentice to his older brother Kurt Busch, learning to build and repair race cars. By the age of 10, he was a full-fledged mechanic and served as crew chief of his older brother's dwarf car team. In 1998, shortly after his 13th birthday, Busch's driving career officially began, but schoolwork was always made first priority. His parents stressed accountability, so if Busch wanted to race, he was responsible for working on, repairing and paying for his own cars. He learned quickly that carelessness on the track proved costly and sometimes meant not racing the next weekend.

From 1999 through 2001, Busch earned more than 65 wins in legends cars as he racked up two track championships at Las Vegas Motor Speedway's "Bullring" before moving to late models. Winning seemed to come naturally as the youngster captured 10 victories in late model competition at the Bullring in 2001.

In 2002 Kyle Busch graduated a year early with honors from Durango High School in Las Vegas, Nevada. Busch started his NASCAR career at age 16, year 2001 in the Craftsman Truck Series, but was removed from racing due to a new rule set by NASCAR disallowing persons under the age of 18 to compete in NASCAR's top divisions.