While some NASCAR drivers turn to dirt racing to sharpen their skills for the Cup Series, two-time champion Kyle Busch isn’t convinced it makes any difference. Despite making his debut in the prestigious Chili Bowl Nationals and clinching victories in the Tulsa Shootout alongside his son Brexton, Busch remains skeptical about the benefits of dirt racing for his primary craft.
The dirt track divide: Busch vs. Larson
Kyle Larson, a three-time Chili Bowl Nationals champion, has long championed dirt racing as a vital tool for maintaining sharpness behind the wheel. His extensive dirt experience has played a role in his Cup Series success, with Larson securing six wins in 2024—twice as many as any other driver.
Many Cup drivers, including Tyler Reddick and Alex Bowman, have followed Larson’s lead, using midweek dirt races to prepare for NASCAR’s grueling schedule. But Busch refuses to buy into the hype, openly dismissing the idea that dirt racing translates to better Cup Series performance.
Speaking to NASCAR Live, Busch bluntly stated:
“I would say tendencies or race craft, race-car – like what can you take from a dirt car to a NASCAR car? Nothing.”
For Busch, it’s NASCAR’s lower-tier series—the Xfinity Series and Craftsman Truck Series—that serve as the best preparation for Cup races. Holding 102 Xfinity wins and 66 Truck Series trophies, Busch values seat time in those divisions far more than dirt track outings.
“As far as making reps or making laps in a Truck race or an Xfinity race to set yourself up for a Cup race on Sunday? Zero,” Busch said.
A change in NASCAR’s approach to practice
Busch’s stance on dirt racing comes at a time when NASCAR’s practice structure has been significantly reduced. The COVID-19 pandemic forced the sport to cut practice sessions from two hours to just 20 minutes, a change that has since become permanent.
The shorter practice windows have made it difficult for drivers to adapt to NASCAR’s Next-Gen car, which was introduced in 2022. In response, drivers like Larson have turned to dirt racing as an alternative way to stay sharp.
Yet Busch isn’t convinced. While he acknowledges some minor benefits from dirt racing—such as improving reaction time and hand-eye coordination—he doesn’t see it as a game-changer.
“Maybe a little bit, just like health-wise, cardio-wise… It’s just a part of feeling, being in the car, hand-eye coordination, reactions, things like that,” Busch admitted. “So you definitely get a lot of that that you can stay fresh on.”
A request from Kyle Larson—And Busch’s hesitation
Busch’s reluctance to embrace dirt racing has put him at odds with some of the sport’s biggest names, including Kyle Larson, who has been actively pushing him to race more on dirt. While Larson has publicly encouraged Busch to join more dirt events, Busch has been hesitant to fully commit.
Despite his initial success in the Tulsa Shootout, where he secured back-to-back wins, Busch’s Chili Bowl experience was less rewarding. His run ended in the E-Main, a disappointing result that may have only reinforced his belief that dirt racing has little impact on NASCAR success.
A difference in philosophy
Busch and Larson’s opposing views on dirt racing underscore the different approaches drivers take to honing their craft. While Larson believes dirt racing is a critical tool for Cup Series success, Busch remains firm in his belief that traditional NASCAR preparation—Xfinity and Truck Series racing—holds more value.
As the 2025 season unfolds, all eyes will be on both drivers to see whether Busch’s skepticism holds true or if Larson’s dirt-racing philosophy continues to yield dominant results.