A changed Kyle Busch helped lead 'Rowdy' to first championship
What Kyle Busch was able to accomplish this year can be summed up in one word: phenomenal. I think this year we witnessed firsthand the transformation of a sometimes controversial and inconsistent driver, transformed into a very patient, committed and much more deliberate driver than we've ever seen from him.
This led to the ultimate prize that he has always craved, the NASCAR Sprint Cup championship. I watched Kyle make the transformation to a driver that could stand up to the pressure, the ability to persevere and quite honestly, deal with literally all the pain of a broken right leg and left foot along with all the rehab that went into it.
I think the other thing that can't be overlooked is it wasn't just about Kyle. It was about his team. He showed his team that he put in all the effort that once he climbed back in the No. 18, he was going to give them 100%. They, in turn, gave the same to him. Crew chief Adam Stevens and the entire No. 18 team rallied behind their driver and their driver rallied behind them.
I just think it's a great story, not only in NASCAR, but across all professional sports in 2015.
This is a man, who missed 11 weeks of racing, yet he didn't give up on his team and his team didn't give up on him. When he got back behind the wheel of his No. 18 Toyota, you saw a man totally focused on one thing. I've been in this sport a long time and have seen this happen before. Sometimes you need to have what you love the most taken away from you, to fully appreciate what you have when you are given a second chance.
I don't give a rat's ass for the haters out there that want to tear down Kyle and his championship. NASCAR laid out the criteria once he returned for his ability to make the Chase. If you think it was easy, well you are sadly mistaken. Kyle not only met but exceeded the criteria and when given the chance in the Chase, he simply went out and won it all.
I'll say it again; I think it was the story of the year in all of professional sports.
