If you are a fan of NASCAR, you might have wondered if there is any connection between one of the most successful drivers in the sport, Kyle Busch, and the famous brewing company, Anheuser-Busch. After all, they share the same last name and both have a long history in America. Is it possible that they are related by blood or by business? The answer might surprise you.
The Busch Family Legacy
The Busch family is one of the most prominent and influential families in the history of American brewing. It all started with Adolphus Busch, a German immigrant who married Eberhard Anheuser’s daughter, Lilly, in 1861. Anheuser was a soap manufacturer who had bought a struggling brewery in St. Louis, Missouri, in 1860. Busch joined his father-in-law’s business and eventually became the president of the company, which he renamed Anheuser-Busch in 1879
Under Busch’s leadership, Anheuser-Busch became the largest brewery in America by 1901 and introduced some of its most iconic brands, such as Budweiser, Michelob, and Busch. Busch was also a pioneer in using pasteurization, refrigeration, and railroad transportation to ensure the quality and distribution of his beer. He also diversified his business interests into real estate, banking, railroads, and amusement parks
Busch died in 1913 and was succeeded by his son, August A. Busch Sr., who faced the challenge of Prohibition, which banned the production and sale of alcohol from 1920 to 1933. To survive, Anheuser-Busch shifted to making non-alcoholic products, such as malt syrup, soft drinks, ice cream, and yeast. The company also acquired the St. Louis Cardinals baseball team in 1953 and built Busch Stadium in 1966
August A. Busch Sr. passed away in 1934 and was followed by his son, August A. Busch Jr., who led the company to new heights of growth and innovation after World War II. He expanded the company’s operations to other states and countries, introduced new products and packaging, such as aluminum cans and twist-off caps, and launched aggressive marketing campaigns that made Anheuser-Busch a household name. He also established the Budweiser Clydesdales as a symbol of the company and supported various charitable and environmental causes
August A. Busch Jr. died in 1989 and was succeeded by his son, August A. Busch III, who continued to grow the company’s market share and global presence. He also invested in new technologies and quality control measures to improve the brewing process and customer satisfaction. He also diversified the company’s portfolio by acquiring other beverage brands, such as Corona, Stella Artois, and Monster Energy
August A. Busch III retired in 2002 and handed over the reins to his son, August A. Busch IV, who became the fourth generation of the family to lead the company. However, his tenure was short-lived and turbulent, as he faced increasing competition from other brewers, such as MillerCoors and InBev, as well as changing consumer preferences and economic downturns. In 2008, he agreed to sell Anheuser-Busch to InBev for $52 billion, creating the world’s largest brewing company, Anheuser-Busch InBev (AB InBev)
The Kyle Busch Connection
So where does Kyle Busch fit into this picture? Is he a descendant of Adolphus Busch or a relative of any of his successors? The answer is no. Kyle Busch is not related to the Busch family of Anheuser-Busch by blood or by marriage.
Kyle Busch was born on May 2, 1985, in Las Vegas, Nevada. His parents are Tom and Gaye Busch, who owned a furniture store and were avid racing fans. Kyle has an older brother named Kurt Busch , who is also a NASCAR driver and a former champion. Kyle started racing at an early age and showed great talent and passion for the sport. He made his NASCAR debut in 2003 at the age of 18 and has since become one of the most successful drivers in NASCAR history , winning two Cup Series championships (in 2015 and 2019) and holding the record for most wins across all three national series (Cup Series , Xfinity Series , Truck Series )
Kyle Busch does have a connection to Anheuser-Busch , but not through his family tree , but through his sponsorship deals . In 2008 , Kyle signed a contract with Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR) , a team owned by former NFL coach Joe Gibbs , to drive the No. 18 Toyota Camry in the Cup Series . JGR had a long-standing partnership with Anheuser-Busch , which sponsored the No. 18 car with its Busch brand since 1995 . As a result , Kyle became the driver of the Busch car , which was a fitting coincidence given his last name
However , this connection was not meant to last . In 2016 , Anheuser-Busch decided to end its sponsorship of the No. 18 car and switch to the No. 4 car driven by Kevin Harvick at Stewart-Haas Racing (SHR) , another team in the Cup Series . Anheuser-Busch also rebranded its Busch beer as Busch Light and launched a new marketing campaign featuring Harvick and the slogan “Here’s to Earning It”
Kyle Busch was not left without a sponsor , though . He quickly found a new one in Mars, Incorporated , which owns various candy brands, such as M&M’s, Snickers, Skittles, and Twix. Kyle has been driving the M&M’s car since 2016 and has won several races and championships with it. He has also become one of the most popular and polarizing drivers in NASCAR, earning the nickname “Rowdy” for his aggressive and outspoken style
Conclusion
So there you have it. Kyle Busch is not related to Anheuser-Busch, but he did drive for them for eight years before they parted ways. He is now sponsored by Mars, Incorporated, and continues to be one of the top drivers in NASCAR. He is also a proud father of two sons, Brexton and Cash, with his wife Samantha.
Whether you love him or hate him, you have to admit that Kyle Busch is one of the most talented and successful drivers in NASCAR history. He has earned his place among the legends of the sport, and he is not done yet. He still has many goals and records to chase, and he is not afraid to take on any challenge or competitor.
So next time you watch a NASCAR race, don’t be confused by the name on his car or his fire suit. He is not a Busch by birth or by marriage, but he is a Busch by choice and by achievement.
