The fanbases of Dale Earnhardt Jr’s Junior Nation and Kyle Busch’s Rowdy Nation have probably shared one of NASCAR's most intense, longest-running feuds. But Earnhardt Jr.’s recent statement after Busch’s passing changes everything. 

The two drivers’ fandoms did not see eye to eye after the 2008 incident at Richmond Raceway. During the race, Rowdy sent Dale Jr spinning around with just three laps to go. After this incident, Rowdy received several death threats from Junior Nation. 

However, nearly a decade after the crash, Dale Jr and Kyle Busch made up. In the recent statement put out by the NASCAR Hall of Famer in the light of Busch’s untimely death, via his social media, he wrote about the duo’s plans to end the fan wars. 

“Most recently, we had even been discussing him running my Late Model at Wilkesboro this summer. He seemed extremely happy and we had planned to meet up next Thursday to get his seat to the shop,” Junior said.

He added, “He laughed over the idea of his fans and JRM fans having to cheer in unison during that race.” 

He also added that he is grateful that the pair could repair their relationship with each other. 

Kyle Busch died on May 21, just hours after being hospitalized for ‘severe illness’. The cause was finally revealed in a statement from the family as pneumonia that progressed into sepsis. 

Rowdy, over his two-decade career, had 234 victories, the most of all, which spanned all three of NASCAR’s National series - O’Reilly, Truck, and Cup. His last truck race at Dover was also his last win.

Kyle Busch’s last words after he wins Dover

Rowdy's Truck win at Dover only extended his record for most wins to 69. However, it was what he said during his post-race interview is what is stuck with the fans and hit hard after his death.

“You never know when the last one is,” he said, while speaking about his feelings post the win. 

In the Cup series, Busch was on a 100-plus winless race streak. However, after making changes to his crew chief, he showed significant improvement and felt like he was coming back to form in the last four races. 

His results improved from Talladega, where he finished 10th. He showed top-10 speed at Texas and Watkins Glen, too, but he had a tangle with John Hunter Nemechek in the last lap at Texas, hence he finished 20th there.

Kyle Busch is survived by his wife, Samantha, and two children, Brexton and Lennix. 

Read more at the RFK Racing Digest!

Written by

Chionia Libania Colaco

Edited by

Suyashdeep Sason