Randy Adams (left) with Kyle Busch in 2010 following the NASCAR All-Star Race Burnout Competition. (Photo Courtesy of Randy Adams)

By Seth Eggert, SWN Statistician & Staff Writer

CONCORD, N.C. (May 28, 2026) – Since the sudden and tragic passing of Richard Childress Racing’s Kyle Busch last Thursday, NASCAR fans have shared their favorite stories about the two-time NASCAR Cup Series champion. 

One fan recalled how they rode with Busch in the 2011 NASCAR All-Star Race’s Burnout Competition.

Randy Adams was the lucky fan that won a contest to be able to ride in the car with Kyle Busch at the 2011 edition of the burnout contest, which ran from 2008 through to the 2012 season, ahead of the All-Star Race.

Riding with KB in the 2010 all star burn out competition at @CLTMotorSpdwy pic.twitter.com/a0JN4yvUpJ

— Randy Adams (@grrrowlguy) May 23, 2026

The winner of the burnout contest was voted on by a panel of judges, who looked for the amount of smoke created, style, among other factors. Hitting the wall or grass resulted in the disqualification of the driver.

Adams got quite the experience in the burnout contest. Busch lived up to his ‘Rowdy’ nickname and performed a burnout so well that the car caught fire. He got a photo with his favorite driver before watching the race from a suite above the track.

“(The car) caught on fire (so) the car was seen on the SPEED broadcast with him as well,” Adams recalled on X (formerly known as Twitter), Saturday following Busch’s passing. “I got a picture after doing it and went off to the Pennzoil suite. My son, Michael, was born in October 2011 and picked up my KB [fandom] and he’s still his (favorite). Hope to see 1,100 rowdy miles this weekend!”

The contest that Adams won, ironically, came from Discount Tire, who at the time sponsored Busch’s longtime rival Brad Keselowski. However, the contest winner was far more a fan of Busch than he was of Keselowski.

That led to some banter as the duo got buckled into the car for the competition.

“(It) was good fun, once he got buckled, he’s like ‘I guess you win a contest or something?’” Adams explained. “I’m like ‘Yeah, via Discount Tire.’ He’s like ‘You didn’t wanna ride with your boy Brad Keselowski?’ I’m like, ‘I actually (cheer) for you lol.’ He’s like, ‘Appreciate it.’”

Looking back at the contest and being able to ride with Busch, Adams is even more grateful that it happened. He’s also more thankful that a last-minute change in the contest moved him from riding with Clint Bowyer to Busch, though he never heard why that change had been made.

“Honestly, [I’m remembering it] a lot more fondly and even more thankful,” Adams mentioned. “The original driver was supposed to be (Clint) Bowyer, but it changed before the contest for reasons I never knew. I was stoked that it was KB though.

“I was [hoping it would be Kyle], been cool to experience that, but honestly it would have been icing on the cake but I was way satisfied with just being able to ride and interact with him and have that sorta experience that day.” 

Adams, along with his son Michael, got to meet Busch several times in the years after the contest. The veteran driver laughed when his fan brought up riding with him in the burnout contest. Kasey Kahne ultimately won the burnout competition that year.

One recurring theme that Busch was always known for was that he took good care of kids wearing his gear at meet and greets, something that Adams recalled very well.

“I did mention once in person and he laughed, he always seemed to take good care of the youth that wore his gear and my son’s experience was no different,” Adams stated. “Last seen and spoke with him last year at a Greenville Swamp Rabbits NASCAR Night. Spire owns them, (and I) have a picture of it that might tie the years together.” 

Riding with Busch in a Richard Petty Racing Experience car (now known as the NASCAR Experience) during the burnout competition was everything Adams expected and more. 

The passing of one of NASCAR’s greatest drivers has made him cherish the experience, and the memories that came with them, even more.

“It was [fun], but on a scale of 11/10, the helmet was heavy, and I was excited,” Adams fondly remembered. “I got in first, Kyle got in after and I sort of froze to be honest. I then finally said ‘Hi’ and he said ‘Hi’ back then asked how I was able to get the ride along. He spoke the Brad K comments and then I was telling him how I got there. It was off to the track [after that] and I remember all the smoke and noise. Exiting the car and standing on pit road before and after was thrilling. 

“It was a Petty Experience car, so I don’t think he lifted much. I was spotted on SPEED as they were interviewing Kyle, and he said they told him to burn it down and he did, lol. The RPDE worker actually pulled me back as I tried to get a closer look at the engine lol. I had videos of both taped off SPEED Network somewhere, but need to find them.” 

Adams thought he was going to get the version of Busch known for being sharp and curt after a crash or other on-track incidents. However, Busch warmed up to this fan after hearing the origin story of his fandom for the then-Joe Gibbs Racing driver.

“I thought [he’d] sorta give me ‘hell’ for Discount Tire but [he] warmed up when I told him how I started rooting for him,” Adams added on X. “Bristol Busch (now known as the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series) race 2007, (he spun) twice in [the] Lowe’s No. 5 car but still didn’t hit a thing and finished third. Met him a few times, always a gracious guy. Gone too soon.”

Adams’ story is just one of many that have been shared by a grieving fan base, industry, and sport in recent days. Many more stories are likely to be shared in the coming days, weeks, and months.

The impact and legacy of what Busch accomplished on and off the track, as a driver, a team owner, a philanthropist, a fan favorite, and simply a family man and father, will be felt for a long time to come.