My experience at the "Rowdy Busch 125"

[High Octane Nate]

Kyle "Rowdy" Busch came to Grand Rapids with his friend and hometown boy Johnny Benson for what was celebrated as the "Rowdy Busch 125."

I've never been a big fan of Johnny since my ex brought my daughter to meet him and had a less than memorable experience... I've been completely mixed on Kyle, Always thought he had amazing talent, but then like at Texas last year in the trucks where he got into Ron Hornaday who was running for the championship. I remember Dover years ago in the NW series where he kept getting his nose under guys in the corner, and eventually drove Kevin right into the wall then Kevin's "Throttle stuck" lmao! So though I respected his talent I wasn't sure he had a brain.

There have been a few positive stories I've heard off track about Kyle. I heard the story about Sam Ard, and Kevin gave him a van. Upon reading further Jr. and Kyle Busch were big contributors in helping the former driver out as well. He also has driving the Billy Bellew 51 truck for free! It doesn't sound like much to us but in the market that he is in he is worth quite a bit to attract sponsors. And I was like ok I HAVE to meet him and see for myself the character of Kyle Busch. I've always been one who doesn't judge people based on what others say but what I personally experience so I really wanted to see if I had a chance of meeting him.

This week came about and I still never bought a ticket. This year I don't have cable so I was like ehhh I'm really going to fall away from Nascar. Is it that big of a deal? I work for a moving company, I don't know if I'm working till 4 o'clock the day before. Monday afternoon came, and I was put on call for Tuesday. I wasn't happy, so I said "I requested Weds off but put me on the schedule I'll just miss the race." I did work Weds but it was a slow day again and I got off in plenty of time. I was thinking, there's nothing else to do I might as well go. Then my ex asked me to take my boy, I really didn't want to because I didn't know how hectic it was going to be and sometimes a 4 year old boy can get in some MOODS. But I couldn't say no after she mentioned it.
I went to K-mart and bought an 18 m&m's hat before just to show thanks and support for coming because although I haven't always agreed with him, I'm far from a Kyle Hater. Then I picked Wyatt up from his mom. We went and grabbed some food from McDonald's because the race track is almost ridiculously expensive when trying just to feed kids.

We got to the track he had his Kyle and Kevin cars with him. He was so excited, which made me very glad I took him. Tickets luckily were still available... Heck it was far from sold out when we got there and it never did but was a good crowd. We got to the gate and the ticket taker told us, "Kyle will be signing autographs at his trailer at 5:30." It wasn't quite 4 when we got there. So we went and marked our seats, (the majority of Berlin is General Admission) and watch a bit of qualifying. Wyatt was having a tough time grasping that Kyle drove the 51 NOS instead of the 18 M&M's car. Then probably about 4:30 I made the decision to test how a 4 year old could behave waiting in line for an autograph, lol. We stopped by the trailer first and he had some stuff priced very fair. Wyatt wanted a poster, and I saw a 51 NOS hat I liked for cheap. So I put the 18 (which was adjustable) on Wyatt and I wore the 51. We got in line it wasn't too bad at the time a few hundred people, but I thought I'd hope for the best. After Kyle got to signing the line moved very quickly. Wyatt was dead set on showing him his diecast. We finally get up to him, Wyatt holds up the 18 M&M's and says, "Jeff Gordon."
Kyle didn't catch it right away but his assistant did and said "Jeff Gordon?"
Then Kyle said, "JEFF GORDON? Well I've been called worse. Have a good one bud." as he signed Wyatts poster and my program. Everybody was in a great mood, very rarely did I see a smile leave Kyles face. But after that with Wyatt saying "Jeff Gordon" I forgot to get a picture taken with him. we went back to our seats, but nothing was happening. So we went back just to watch. Then we heard the M&M's conversation.
A kid probably about 8 said, "Do you really eat M&M's?"
"Yes, and I love them. What kind do you like, plain or peanut?"
"I like the green ones."
"The green ones? Well there's a story about those but you'll learn that when you get older."
Everybody was busting up laughing, Samantha, his assistant and definitely all of us. I ended up asking one of the workers if we could sneak in and get a quick picture. She told us if we went to the back of the line we probably would still be able to get up to Kyle in time. So we did and not more than 10 minutes later we got a third autograph on the 18 hat and our picture with him. Kyle still as happy as could be.

So we got down to watch the race. Kyle was just running in the last race headlining the night. Every race before there was a guy yell "HEY KYLE IF YOU'RE SO GREAT WHY AREN'T YOU IN THESE CARS?" Got rather annoying. Johnny was in the Late Model race before Kyle, said he was struggling with his car started about mid field with a lot of cars entered. He must have made the right changes right before the race because he started moving up. He cracked the top ten, then right in front of him two brothers got together. Johnny was able to split them, but NASCAR truck driver Andy Ponstein wasn't as fortunate. That wreck brought Johnny into the top 5, he ended up finishing right about 6th or so. It was a great race none the less.

Then It was finally Rowdy's turn. He started 3rd, being the second fastest qualifier and inverting the top 4. He started off finding the open spots on the track to save his tires. As he let people by there were fans just cussing and hooting and hollering at how bad they thought of Kyle. I wasn't happy with my son having to experience that, but let it go. Kyle ended up getting a little further from the lead than he wanted to, but a late caution with only 7 cars on the lead lap allowed him to fix what he thought was a slow leak and put 2 tires on. He got out of the pits late and was running nearly 3/4 of the track behind the leader. The Jr. fans really loved that and felt of voicing their opinion of Kyle even louder. Then the 4th and 5th place cars got into each other bring out another caution and allowing Kyle to move into the top 5 with 2 fresh tires. I was loving that hoping it would shut those guys up and learn some respect, because Lord knows there was no way they'd have any gratitude for Kyle coming out to Berlin. With 10 to go on the restart Kyle went on the apron and got past the 4th place car, but that was it. He faded back to 6th for his finish. Lots of fans happy for the great event and for the winner, yet the Jr. fans still felt it was their sole duty to cuss and yell in Kyle's direction.
So as we walked by them down the grand stands I had to say (if you know me you know I had to) "You mock Kyle cuz he didn't win against track regulars. Yet Jr can only drive one car and when he does he doesn't matter anyway!"
All of them just kind of froze speachless, and Wyatt and I just walked down to the front row to watch the celebration with nothing said in return. I really don't have that much against Jr, he's not my favorite, but I just had to shut up the idiots.

Over all the event went great. I wasn't sure if we'd be able to meet Kyle, or say anything to him and we got to do both, though I was still kind of quiet with him but that was my nerves, it was great. I had a blast, my best encounter with any sort of celebrity ever. and I did some research on the Kyle Busch foundation, and now am even more fond of him. Heres what I found: He also has the Kyle Busch foundation, which really hit me seeing he started it HERE in Grand Rapids:
FOUNDATION OUR STORY

In August of 2006, Kyle Busch was invited to visit a children’s home near Grand Rapids Michigan. St. John’s home provides housing and structure to children ages 6-18 that have been taken out of there previously living situation for various reasons.

Kyle accepted the opportunity to meet and spend some time with the children living at St. John’s, a decision that would forever change him. His experience provided him with valuable insight into how these extraordinary kids are working to overcome the challenges in their everyday lives. He realized the things most people take for granted are the very things that these children need; a safe home where they encouraged to learn and taught the skills to achieve their dreams.

Shortly after his visit, Kyle made the decision to start the Kyle Busch Foundation to provide assistance to organizations like St. John’s and the children who live there.

There are children’s’ homes throughout the country just like St. John’s, most of which are in need of assistance. With your help, the Kyle Busch Foundation can help make a difference in the lives of these deserving children.

[NightPhoenix]

I am so glad you had a great time, and got to see for yourself how great Kyle is. I'm also glad you shut those idiots up. I hope I never have to encounter that whenever I go to a race. I have a less than stellar attitude when it come to that and an even bigger mouth.

As for his foundation, I don't think he could have picked a better cause to give aid to. For personal reasons, it really hit me in the heart strings. I love reading the various stories about Kyle doing things like donating exercise equipment, or 100 tickets to each race in a weekend, along with $10,000 for the kids to spend.

If you're interested in the goings on with Kyle, I have a blog I recently started, keeping track of his adventures. His official site hardly updates anything.

http://kylefiles.livejournal.com