Brexton Busch, the 9-year-old son of NASCAR superstar Kyle Busch, made headlines with a commanding victory in the Junior Sprint Division of the Tulsa Shootout. His performance, marked by precision and composure, has drawn comparisons to iconic athletes like Tiger Woods and Jeff Gordon, reigniting conversations about the pressures young athletes face in competitive sports.
A flawless performance at the Tulsa Shootout
Brexton Busch dominated the Junior Sprint A-Main event at the Tulsa Expo Raceway, driving the No. 18B car to a wire-to-wire victory. Competing against a talented field that included Owen Larson, son of Kyle Larson, and Wyatt Miller, grandson of Dale Earnhardt, Brexton showcased his exceptional racing acumen. His victory earned him his first-ever Golden Driller trophy, a significant milestone in his budding career.
With over 100 entrants in the Junior Sprint Division, Brexton’s ability to outpace his peers underscores his growing prowess. This latest achievement adds to an already impressive resume of 32 wins across 13 tracks, including championships at Millbridge Speedway and Mountain Creek.
Kenny Wallace praises Brexton’s technical mastery
Veteran NASCAR analyst Kenny Wallace was quick to commend Brexton’s performance, particularly his skill in managing corner entries—a crucial aspect of competitive racing. “When Brexton Busch got the lead, his entry to the corner was everything,” Wallace noted. “How you enter that corner determines what kind of race car driver you’re going to be. Brexton nailed it every single lap.”
Wallace also highlighted Brexton’s maturity under pressure, an attribute that sets him apart from other young racers. “That Brexton Busch is going to be a good one,” Wallace added, emphasizing the young driver’s potential to excel at the highest levels of the sport.
Early starts: A growing trend in motorsports
Brexton’s success parallels the early starts of other legends. Jeff Gordon, for instance, racked up 35 wins in quarter-m idgets by the age of six, while Tiger Woods had won 30 golf tournaments before his teenage years. This phenomenon, according to Kenny Wallace, reflects the increasing pressures on young athletes to excel early. “Nowadays, if you don’t get these kids in a race car by age 5, you’re considered behind,” Wallace remarked. “Society wants everything hurried up.”
Wallace attributed this trend to the influence of figures like Woods and Gordon, who set a precedent for early success. However, he also praised parents like Kyle and Samantha Busch for balancing intense training with a focus on childhood experiences. “They’re allowing him to be a kid outside of the car—hanging out with friends, playing—but inside the car, they’re teaching him critical skills like geometry and strategy,” Wallace said.
A new generation of young racers
Brexton is part of a new wave of young racing talents, including Keelan Harvick, who won the 2024 Legend Car Asphalt National Championship at just 11 years old, and Owen Larson, who is also making a name for himself. These young drivers are not only following in the footsteps of their famous parents but are also paving their own paths in the competitive world of motorsports.
What’s next for Brexton Busch?
As Brexton continues to climb the ranks, his achievements are sparking broader conversations about the evolving landscape of youth sports. Is starting so young the key to greatness, or does it place undue pressure on kids? While opinions vary, one thing is certain: Brexton Busch is already a standout in the racing world.
With his first Golden Driller trophy in hand and an impressive track record, Brexton is proving to be more than just Kyle Busch’s son—he’s a rising star in his own right. Whether he will become the next Jeff Gordon or Tiger Woods of NASCAR remains to be seen, but his journey is one to watch.
