Uploaded May 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
As I continue to look back at Kyle Busch's remarkable career, I've compiled the events of his first NASCAR Busch Series start, the 2003 CARQUEST Auto Parts 300 at Lowe's Motor Speedway.
As you can see by the length of this video, there was a lot of hype heading into this race. Kyle signed up with Hendrick Motorsports and running an ARCA-Busch program in 2003 with a full-time ride with Hendrick in the Busch Series in 2004. Kyle had already won 2 of 2 ARCA starts leading up to this race at Charlotte. So, it was known to the NASCAR community that Kyle was a talent not seen before. Kurt Busch joined the pre-race show and was interviewed throughout the broadcast to get his thoughts on seeing his little brother make his Busch debut. They even interviewed together post-race. Car owner Joe Nemechek also made several interviews.
Kyle started 5th and ran in the top 5 almost all of the race. Kyle Busch took the lead after a round of caution flag stops on lap 138. He ended up leading 33 laps. Matt Kenseth was catching him quick until a caution came out on lap 167.
Kyle ended up taking two tires while everyone else took four tires. It took less than a lap under green for Matt Kenseth to get by Kyle Busch. Kyle ended up finishing 2nd, an outstanding run for a Busch Series debut. There was a puddle of oil by the car after the race, so the car might not have lasted much longer had it been more than 300 miles. Regardless, this set the benchmark that would be the future NASCAR star. I knew he would be a talent if he had this result so quickly in his career.
It's interesting that Brian Pattie was his crew chief in this race. Brian's first NASCAR crew chief gigs were with NEMCO Motorsports. More than 20 years later, Kyle and Brian reunite at KBM, then with Spire Motorsports in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series. Kyle would win his last Truck race with Brian just last week at Dover.
Video is for awareness purposes only. All credit to NASCAR and FX.
As I continue to look back at Kyle Busch's remarkable career, I've compiled the events of his first NASCAR Busch Series start, the 2003 CARQUEST Auto Parts 300 at Lowe's Motor Speedway.
As you can see by the length of this video, there was a lot of hype heading into this race. Kyle signed up with Hendrick Motorsports and running an ARCA-Busch program in 2003 with a full-time ride with Hendrick in the Busch Series in 2004. Kyle had already won 2 of 2 ARCA starts leading up to this race at Charlotte. So, it was known to the NASCAR community that Kyle was a talent not seen before. Kurt Busch joined the pre-race show and was interviewed throughout the broadcast to get his thoughts on seeing his little brother make his Busch debut. They even interviewed together post-race. Car owner Joe Nemechek also made several interviews.
Kyle started 5th and ran in the top 5 almost all of the race. Kyle Busch took the lead after a round of caution flag stops on lap 138. He ended up leading 33 laps. Matt Kenseth was catching him quick until a caution came out on lap 167.
Kyle ended up taking two tires while everyone else took four tires. It took less than a lap under green for Matt Kenseth to get by Kyle Busch. Kyle ended up finishing 2nd, an outstanding run for a Busch Series debut. There was a puddle of oil by the car after the race, so the car might not have lasted much longer had it been more than 300 miles. Regardless, this set the benchmark that would be the future NASCAR star. I knew he would be a talent if he had this result so quickly in his career.
It's interesting that Brian Pattie was his crew chief in this race. Brian's first NASCAR crew chief gigs were with NEMCO Motorsports. More than 20 years later, Kyle and Brian reunite at KBM, then with Spire Motorsports in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series. Kyle would win his last Truck race with Brian just last week at Dover.
Video is for awareness purposes only. All credit to NASCAR and FX.
