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Kyle Busch has been called to the NASCAR hauler numerous times for things he’s said in the past. This week while visiting with the media before the Clash at the Coliseum, the new Richard Childress Racing driver made a comment about one of his sponsors and getting high that won’t get him called to the hauler, but it certainly did get the attention of those in attendance, and more importantly, helped promote the business. 

Kyle Busch joins RCR and replaces Tyler Reddick

Since Kyle Busch announced last September that he was joining RCR in 2023, there has been plenty of speculation about how things would play out. One of the main questions — would the two-time champion drive the No. 8 car with the same sponsors as Tyler Reddick?

Rowdy fans got their answer pretty quickly with numerous partners, including BetMGM, Lenovo, Alsco, and Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen announcing that they would return to sponsor the RCR car in 2023. 

The restaurant is obviously taking its partnership seriously as numerous fans reported on social media how the menus in the chain all now include a banner proudly claiming sponsorship of the driver. 

Makes comment about being high

Another key sponsor returning to join Busch in his first year with RCR is 3Chi. The company, which sells hemp-based recreational products, signed a multi-year deal last year to be an anchor sponsor for the car and is back in 2023. 

This week in LA, the 37-year-old joined Trackhouse Racing drivers Ross Chastain and Daniel Suarez to talk with the media before qualifying for the Clash at the Coliseum. Before answering any questions, the driver got the audience’s attention and a quick plug in for the product in the process. 

“I like to be high. 3Chi does wonders,” Busch said as he raised his chair higher than the other drivers. “Drug test, 3 o’clock,” he said, which drew a big laugh from those attending.

Busch knows the importance of pleasing sponsors

Kyle Busch talks to media
Kyle Busch speaks to the media prior to practice for the NASCAR Clash at the Coliseum at Los Angeles Coliseum on February 04, 2023. | Photo by James Gilbert/Getty Images

While Busch’s comment was a joke, some fans admitted his brief but humorous comments were more meaningful. For the first time, they actually learned something about the 3Chi brand.

“Okay. I like new KFB already,” wrote one fan. “The fact he hasn’t been on track yet and he’s bring awareness to the company like that. Reddick said nothing about the company besides were great a sponsor and supporter. Brands want people like this. Keep it in the lines but not the same one.”

“He’s already doing more for his sponsor than Reddick did,” wrote another. “Honestly I had no idea what it was until now. Never cared enough to look it up.”

Kyle Busch understands his assignment. Racing is the top priority, but getting a mention in of the companies sponsoring the car as often as possible is high up there. If anyone learned in 2022 the importance of sponsors and losing them, it’s Busch. He’s already candidly admitted he doesn’t want to go through that free-agency process again. And he’s going to do his part to make sure that doesn’t happen.

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Senior Writer, Specialty Producer - Motorsports

Kyle Dalton

Kyle Dalton began covering sports in 1992 after he graduated from the University of Texas school of journalism. He published his book Burned Orange: Tom Penders and 10 Years at the University of Texas in 2000, and joined Sportscasting in 2020. Kyle expertly covers the NFL, NASCAR, and NCAA football.

Kyle finds inspiration in the unscripted drama of sports, the compelling journeys and life stories of the athletes who play the games, and he enjoys reading the work of Mitch Albom. He is a rabid consumer of all sports on all platforms: TV, Twitter, podcasts, live events, and more.