Kyle Busch drove Joe Gibbs Racings’ No. 18 Toyota for the final time in the last race of the season at Phoenix Raceway.
The two-time champions’ time with JGR was slowing winding down and was in fact turning into a bitter note as the end came near. However, as he raced for them for the final time, Busch has nothing but nice words and memories to leave with.
“I couldn’t even look at my car to begin with because it was the last time I’m going to see it,” Busch said. “It’s … it’s hard, man. It’s not easy. Just wish it wasn’t what it was or what it is, but I’m going to miss a lot of our fun folks that we got to spend a lot of time with over the years. Just look forward to new adventures.”
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Words can’t describe this day. Today was already going to be tough enough but it’s even more gut wrenching now. Heartbroken.
— Kyle Busch (@KyleBusch) November 6, 2022
Having been with the team for so long with JGR teammate Denny Hamlin, who moved up to Cup with Gibbs’ No. 11, two years before Busch’s arrival in the team in 2008, Busch revealed special feelings about his teammate.
“Denny and I, as much as we may not see eye to eye or see the same path sometimes, we do respect one another a whole ton, and we will forever,” said Busch.“I hope that we have the opportunity to race each other as we have as teammates at least.
“He’s really close to the family. He’s been there since the very beginning. So we were both emotional anyway at the start of it. We both had our reasons why.”
Before the race, Hamlin gave Busch a prerace hug on the starting grid and it was fitting for their relationship as Busch described.
So, then one of the successful partnerships of recent times comes to an end, as Busch ventures to form another to add to his NASCAR legacy.