June 6, 2021 | By Lee Spencer

Kyle Busch believes recruiting brother Kurt for 23XI Racing would enhance Toyota camp

When it comes to sibling rivalry in NASCAR, look no further than Kyle and Kurt Busch, who finished fifth and sixth, respectively, after battling Sonoma Raceway on Sunday.

As the buzz continues to circulate around the possibility of the 2004 champion possibly joining the 23XI project of Denny Hamlin and Michael Jordan should the organization expand to a second team, would Kyle welcome his brother to the fold?

“That would be the list of all manufacturers, right? He could check them all if he drove a Toyota and won a race in a Toyota,” Busch said. “That’s his prerogative. I think, those decisions to be made don’t have anything to do with me. But certainly, that would probably be a big hit for our program and what we’ve got going on—especially the 23XI program—if that all comes to fruition. I’ve heard the same rumors you guys have.”

Kurt has struggled in the No. 1 Chip Ganassi Racing ride this season. On Sunday, he led eight laps—five more than he had led in the first 15 races. After just his third top-10 finish in 16 races, Busch is currently 18th in the Cup standings but trails Chris Buescher—the last winless driver in Playoff-eligible position—by 63 points.

When the younger Busch was asked whether Kurt would be tweaked because the brothers raced intensely throughout the course of the Toyota/SaveMart 350?

“We were fine,” Kyle Busch said. “He’s got to fly home with me so if he didn’t like it, he’s got to find his own way home.”