“I’m not here to be a Kyle Larson or an Emerson Axsom,” Kyle Busch said, setting a realistic goal for his first time in the midget series. After the year Rowdy had, learning to be humble in the face of a new challenge wasn’t difficult as reflected by his confession, and Busch embraced it as he participated in the Tulsa Shootout, and now gears up for the Chili Bowl Nationals. However, while fans expected Busch speaking about Larson, Emerson Axsom’s name was a surprise.
It wasn’t just the fans who were in shock, as Emerson Axsom revealed his reaction to Kyle Busch’s surprising confession.
Emerson Axom was in the dark about Kyle Busch’s comments
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Speaking about his ambitions for his Chili Bowl debut, Busch gave himself a reality check. “Honestly like for me I’m just coming in here to have fun like no expectations. I’m not here to be a Kyle Larson or an Emerson Axsom or anybody that comes out here and lights the world on fire.” While Larson was a common name to hear when it came to talented NASCAR drivers, Emerson Axom’s name stuck out.
With Rowdy talking about him, Axsom took notice. He explained, “I didn’t even see the video someone messaged me about it and I went back and watched it. I have never really talked to him, but obviously it’s pretty cool because you know growing up he was in the M&M car and we looked up on Sunday and see it when he won a lot of races in that car. Back when I was growing up, he was kind of in a prime. It was pretty cool to see but I don’t know hopefully tonight we can look superhuman.”
As a 20-year-old driving in the Chili Bowl Nationals, hearing Kyle Busch use your name as a way of showing excellence in the discipline is a pleasure only a few have. What makes this even more incredible is that Axsom grew up watching Busch’s wins, right from his 2015 Cup Series Championship, the 2018 and 2019 Regular Series Championship, and then the 2019 Cup Series Championship as well in the iconic M&M color scheme Rowdy became famous for. Some fans want to meet their heroes, but for Axsom, it’s a rare case where the hero looks up to the fan for their talent. And Axsom has plenty on talent.
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Emerson Axom has over 70 wins in micro racing and 5 Tulsa Shootout Drillers. His impactful racing includes 39 wins out of 46 races at Mini Indy and Midwest Thunder Races. Above all, backed by sponsors like Keizer Wheel, Simpson Racing Products, Elliott’s Custom Trailers & Carts, and more. The young expert in dirt racing marked his first victory as ‘A Feature’ at the Tulsa Expo Raceway, driving midget.
Moreover, after his preliminary night victory in A-Main at Chili Bowl Nationals, he felt relaxed after competing against Corey Day and Daison Pursley. He said. “You know I felt good to be running at such a high pace without making a lot of mistakes I think I got in tried in a one maybe one or 2 times but other than that um you know I felt like I ran almost 25 perfect laps on a row. Yeah that felt good to know that we can put those together and still have a little enough to think.”
This statement from Emerson reflects Busch’s appreciative nature toward good starters in racing and positive attitude in the racing environment. Now, all he has to do is carry his streak of performances from the Tulsa Shootout.
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How did the Tulsa Shootout go for Busch?
The decision to participate in the Tulsa Shootout and Chili Bowl Nationals was a big surprise. A Cup Series driver making his debut in midgets years into his career was odd to hear for fans, but Kyle Busch made it work. Competing in the Winged Outlaw division, Busch won his first heat in the category. Surprising fans at the SageNet Center, he coupled the win up with another heat win in the Non-Winged Outlaw division! Busch simply proved his winless year hadn’t changed his determination.
Speaking about his experience, Kyle Busch explained, “I’ll tell you what man these outlaw cars are so much fun because they have so much power in them. The Lucus Oil with that alignment motor is a great combination, it was really really ripping that high side. So loved it, all is good right now, feels good, want to tune in onto the car a little bit more and be ready for qualifiers when it comes.”
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While the wins were good to watch for fans, they had a different role to play. Busch might have gotten the confidence he needs to start the year on the right foot. Who knows? He might just win a race in 2025. For now, he can focus on the Chili Bowl Nationals.