NASCAR Cup Series

How Kyle Busch's Daytona wreck propelled him to a Sprint Cup title

Published Nov. 23, 2015 9:30 a.m. ET

foxsports

The worst thing that ever happened to Kyle Busch just might have turned out to be the best thing that ever happened to Kyle Busch.

Busch, the newly minted 2015 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion, began the racing season in the hospital, after suffering a compound fracture of his lower right leg and a midfoot fracture of his left foot in a savage crash in the season-opening NASCAR XFINITY Series race at Daytona International Speedway.

No one would have blamed Busch if the injuries derailed his season.

Instead, they motivated him and elevated him to champion status in a remarkable title run.

"When I had the crash and when I knew instantly that the right leg was broken, the left foot was broke, I was really worried," said Busch. "I was actually like -- I don't know if it flashed before my eyes or if I just thought it, but it was like, 'Man, I'm going to have to go back to laying decals.' I was like, 'Man, I don't know if I'm ever going to be able to get back in a car again.' I just didn't know how severe it was. ... I was like, 'Man, my wife is pregnant, I've got no job,' so I was a bit worried."

Rehabbing from the injuries was extremely painful, but at the same time, it built Busch's resolve.

"Just going through the rehab process I think just made me more mentally tough -- know that I can do physically and mentally," he said. "... You don't know how many times I just wanted to stop and just be like, 'You know what? I'm not going to do the rest today.' But I powered through it and did what I needed to do, did what I could do."

Busch's crew chief, Adam Stevens, quickly determined that Busch would fight his way back.

"When we saw him get out and sit on the door there at Daytona in the XFINITY race, I mean, I didn't know what kind of shape his legs were in," said Stevens. "I didn't know if it was going to be this year or next year or if he would walk again. I had no idea."

That uncertainty didn't last long.

"It was pretty clear a couple days later that he was on the road to recovery mentally, even if he wasn't physically yet," said Stevens.

In the end, the struggles helped Busch immensely.

"The recovery process or what all happened as bad as it was, I wouldn't recommend it, if you're looking to achieve a championship this way," said Busch. "It's certainly not easy, but it'll make you mentally stronger and physically stronger. I'd say that. This is certainly a lot different season than anybody would have expected to have happen for myself or this race team or anything in this sport."

Yes, it is.

And as a result, Busch can now call himself a champion, despite what he went through.

"I don't know that anybody could have ever dreamt of this year especially, but to have dreamt of my career path the way it's kind of gone, it's certainly amazing to have the opportunity right now to be in this position," said Busch.