When NASCAR’s greatest comeback stories are told, Kyle Busch’s legendary 2015 season stands as one of the most awe-inspiring. A generational talent, Busch had spent a decade chasing his first Cup Series title, often falling short despite his undeniable skill behind the wheel. But in 2015, fate seemed to deliver the final blow before his season even truly began.
Busch suffered a catastrophic crash in the Xfinity Series opener at Daytona, breaking his left foot and right leg in a brutal impact. What seemed like a career-threatening injury turned into an unforgettable redemption story, as he defied the odds, returned mid-season, and stunned the NASCAR world by winning his first championship.
Now, nearly a decade later, Busch’s future remains uncertain. Can the two-time champion recapture his former glory and fight his way back to the top in 2025?
The 2015 Daytona Nightmare That Nearly Ended It All
In NASCAR, one wrong move can change everything, and Kyle Busch learned that the hard way on February 21, 2015.
Racing in the Alert Today Florida 300 at Daytona, Busch saw an opening late in the race. He was pushing teammate Erik Jones when he got too aggressive in the draft.
🚨 Busch’s own words on the moment everything went wrong:
“Coming through the tri-oval, there’s about eight laps to go, and I see a hole through the middle. I’m pushing my teammate who’s right in front of me, and I bump him a little bit too early. I get him squirreled up in the tri-oval, and he turns back right. I missed him, but the air off his car spun my car out, and it darted me toward the infield. I hit the infield wall at 90 miles an hour at 90G’s… and hurt really bad.”
The impact snapped his left foot and right leg, instantly ending his Daytona 500 hopes. Busch lay in agony, realizing his worst fears were coming true.
“Man, I don’t think I’m gonna be able to race tomorrow,” he recalled saying. But the response he got was even worse:
“Everybody’s like, ‘Yeah, tomorrow’s definitely out. Probably the next one, too.’”
The next 11 races were spent in recovery, undergoing grueling surgeries and intense physical therapy. As multiple drivers filled in for him, Busch had one mission: return and prove that his championship window hadn’t closed.
The Incredible Comeback: Kyle Busch Defies the Odds
Against all odds, Busch returned to the track in May for the NASCAR All-Star Race—just three months after his horrific crash. While his initial performances showed rust, his comeback took a shocking turn in the summer stretch.
🔥 What followed was nothing short of historic:
✅ First win of the season at Sonoma
✅ Four wins in five races (Kentucky, Loudon, Indianapolis, Pocono)
✅ Clinched a spot in the playoffs despite missing 11 races
✅ Pulled off a clutch win at Homestead-Miami to secure his first-ever NASCAR Cup Series Championship
Busch had done the impossible. After a decade of frustration, he silenced every critic and cemented his place as a NASCAR legend.
Can Busch Shock the NASCAR World Again in 2025?
🚨 Fast-forward to today, and the question looms: Can Kyle Busch pull off another stunning comeback?
Now 39, Busch has struggled in recent seasons. His switch to Richard Childress Racing in 2023 hasn’t yielded the dominance he once had at Joe Gibbs Racing. However, Rowdy thrives when his back is against the wall—and if history has shown anything, it’s that doubting Kyle Busch is a dangerous game.
💬 Can Kyle Busch return to championship form in 2025? Or is his era of dominance over?
Join the debate! 🚀