“If you don't like that kind of racing, don't even watch”: When Kyle Busch publicly delivered his blunt response to scathing criticism

NASCAR veteran Kyle Busch once taunted fans in an interview after getting booed for his aggressive driving during the NASCAR Cup Series race at Chicagoland Speedway in 2018.

The 2018 Overton's 400 at Chicagoland featured a thrilling battle in the closing laps between Kyle Busch and Kyle Larson, culminating in contact as the two drivers traded aggressive moves for the lead. Ultimately, Busch in his #18 Joe Gibbs Racing delivered a bump-and-run on Larson on the final lap to secure the win, taking the checkered flag amid loud boos from the crowd.

After the race, the former #18 Joe Gibbs Racing driver Busch was confronted with criticism about his racing style, with some fans and analysts labeling it as overly aggressive or unsportsmanlike. In typical “Rowdy” fashion, the two-time NASCAR Cup Series champion didn’t hold back during the 2018 Chicagoland post-race interviews with NBC Sports. Busch fired back to booing fans with the now-iconic line:

“Even a been a race, I don't know what y'all are whining about, but if you don't like that kind of racing, don't even watch.” [0:54]

The 39-year-old Las Vegas native has never been one to mince words, and his response to criticism of aggressive racing styles has been a hallmark of his bold personality.

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“We were horrible today” – When Kyle Busch reflected on his final-lap thrilling battle with Larson at Chicagoland

The 2018 Chicago race was always known for its intense finish and for producing arguably one of the most memorable finishes in NASCAR history.

In the aforementioned interview, Kyle Busch reflected on his perspective on the intense battle with Larson on the final lap of the 2018 Chicagoland race, highlighting both the strategy and resilience it took to secure the victory.

Busch said:

“I got really boxed in and got really slow. I tried to get all of it on those last couple of laps. Larson tried to pull a slider but didn’t quite complete it. He slid up into me and used me, and then I kind of used him a little bit in Turn 3 to come back for the victory.”

“Great win for the Skittles Camry and all of these guys. We were horrible today. Absolutely horrendous. We just never gave up. It’s always good to make the most of the days and get to where we needed at the end. I was able to lead all of those laps. And get through the rest of the traffic”

Even though Kyle Busch bumped the former #42 Chip Ganassi Racing driver, knocking him out of the way for the win, Larson held no hard feelings. Larson, however, recovered to finish runner-up in the race.

Watch Kyle Busch and Larson against each other for their respective teams, Richard Childress Racing and Hendrick Motorsports, in the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series season, beginning with the season-opening race, the Daytona 500, on Feb. 16.