NASCAR legend and current team owner Jimmie Johnson has revealed he spoke with his former teammate Kyle Busch on the phone just days before his tragic death.
Busch was rushed to hospital after falling ill on Thursday, and was pronounced dead just hours later. The tragedy came only days after he won in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series. Johnson and Busch were teammates at Hendrick Motorsports from 2004 through the 2007 season before they became rivals.
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While Busch may have been interested in joining Johnson’s NASCAR team, their conversations centered on his 11-year-old son, who could potentially be racing in the sport within a decade. Reflecting on that phone conversation, Johnson said: “I felt like I had the more authentic Kyle than I’ve ever experienced. That maturation, and just to see a dad glow about his kid and really want to support and provide was really special.”
Johnson and Busch were teammates at Hendrick Motorsports from 2004 through the 2007 season before they became rivals.
Johnson and Busch had been in discussions as Busch was set to become a free agent with his Richard Childress Racing contract expiring, potentially paving the way for him to join Johnson’s Legacy Motor Club team.
Johnson realized that Busch seemed more focused on his son’s future in racing, with Brexton set to follow in his father’s footsteps, but he could tell the 41-year-old still had faith in his own ability to capture another championship.
Johnson told The Athletic: “He was adamant that it was there, and the conviction I heard in his voice, I absolutely believed him. Some of that outside pressure… he acknowledged it, and it was fueling to him, and his conviction was like, ‘This is B.S. I know I can do great.'”
Reflecting on his career, Johnson added: “Technically, in the build of a car, he’s one of the best. He had that old-school know-how and understanding, but could relate to the engineers, which is very special on its own. And then he had all this bravery and skill to match it up.
“That’s just such a unique combination of things to put together.”
