Kyle Busch was great on most tracks, but one particular track was always the most welcoming towards Rowdy: Oxford Plains Speedway in Maine. 

The short track will host its 3rd annual Celebration of America 300 race. The 300-mile-long has always featured the Busch 8 car, but this time it will be one of Busch’s closest allies who will get behind the wheel of the 8 car.

Busch’s spotter, Derek Kneeland, will be driving the 8 car during the Super Late Model race this weekend. CBS 13 News reported the story and even caught up with Kneeland about the tribute drive he’s gearing up for. 

Dave Eid reported the story for CBS 13 News, and in the clip uploaded on YouTube, an emotional Kneeland spoke to CBS about his relationship to Busch and Busch’s memories of the track. Kneeland, who was Busch’s spotter for the last 5 years, said:

“He was a great friend. We did a lot of stuff together outside the racing world, and I was fortunate to know him. I was fortunate enough that I got to have a lot more of a personal relationship with him. He came up and ran several races with me, and in late models and stuff,  at Oxford and Lee Speedway. We got to do a lot of cool things together.”

The race has an added layer for Kneeland. Beyond driving Busch’s number 8, Kneeland was also born in Maine.

Kneeland admitted to CBS that Busch’s loss has been difficult on him. He said, “It’s still hard, and I’m having a hard time with it. The weekdays are the hardest. At the track is probably where I’m most comfortable."

Heading into the race, Kneeland had a special conversation about taking up the number 8 to honor Busch. 

Busch family gives spotter blessing to driver 8 car

For the last 5 years, at every race Kneeland has been at, he’s always had his eyes on Kyle Busch and has seen how he drives at various tracks. Kneeland will look to channel that when he drives the 8 car. 

Kneeland revealed to CBS 13 News that he had a conversation with Busch’s father. “A few days after everything went down, his dad called me. And his dad’s a man of very few words. And I said, ‘You know, I’m thinking about running the 8 or 51 as long as I have your guy’s blessing, I would like to do that.'”

Kneeland then revealed what Tom Busch said. “And he said, ‘Short track world knows him as the 51’. He’s like, ‘But the work knows him as 8.’” That was all Kneeland needed to hear from Tom Busch. 

The spotter was often a source of calm for Kyle Busch, even being the mediator over team radio when Jim Pohlman, Busch’s former crew chief, was agitated over the lack of performance at Bristol earlier this year. 

Kneeland hopes that Busch will be there to guide him. He said, “Hoping that he’s gonna be on my shoulder and give me the guiding way and to win it for Kyle, I think that would put the stamp on it.”

As an emotional Kneeland takes the wheel of the number 8 car adored by those in Maine, we know exactly which car will have the supporters cheering the loudest. 

Do you think Kneeland can take the win to honor Busch? Share your thoughts in the comments.

You can read more on the Daytona Racing Digest!

Written by

Debrup Chaudhuri

Edited by

Suyashdeep Sason