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AVONDALE, ARIZONA - MARCH 08: Kyle Busch, driver of the #8 zone Jalapeno Lime Chevrolet, signs autographs for NASCAR fans on the red carpet prior to the NASCAR Cup Series Straight Talk Wireless 500 at Phoenix Raceway on March 08, 2026 in Avondale, Arizona. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)

NASCAR Cup Series driver Kyle Busch shared a clear update on how fans now see him during a recent appearance on FOX News Media’s “Hang Out with Sean Hannity” podcast.

The veteran driver spoke about his long career, key rivalries, and how his image has changed over time. For years, he was one of the most booed drivers in the garage. That reaction helped shape his identity in the sport.

But now, NASCAR Cup Series driver Kyle Busch says things feel different. He explained that over the past few seasons, the way fans respond to him has shifted, especially after major changes in his career and recent results on track.

NASCAR Cup Series driver Kyle Busch says fan reaction is no longer the same

During the interview, Hannity pointed to the strong emotions seen at race tracks. “There are cool moments where you win races. I mean, the crowd hates you sometimes; they hate your guts. You love being hated.”

NASCAR Cup Series driver Kyle Busch agreed that this had defined his career. But he made it clear that the reaction has changed.

“So public perception has changed a little bit over the course of the last three years,” Busch said.

He explained that he once embraced the role of the villain. He built that image through intense competition with drivers like Denny Hamlin, Joey Logano, and Brad Keselowski.

“A little bit, yes, yes,” Busch said when asked if his image had improved. “I was public enemy number one. That was just sort of my persona; I leaned into it. I wore the black hat.”

Winning races played a big part in that image. He often used fan reactions to his advantage, feeding off the crowd’s noise.

Now, he sees himself in a different role within the garage.

“I’m the third-oldest statesman on the tour right now,” he said.

Moves and Results Shape a New Phase for Busch

NASCAR Cup Series driver Kyle Busch pointed to his move from Joe Gibbs Racing to Richard Childress Racing as a key turning point.

“And then I moved over to Richard Childress Racing. I joined Team Chevy, and instantly there was kind of a switch, like a little bit of a flip of fans, of haters, that were like, ‘I’ll pull for Kyle now, he’s in a Chevy.’”

He said that support grew after the team’s early success.

“And then I won three races that year. We ran okay, and more people kind of were like, yeah, we’re pulling for Kyle.”

But the next season brought a different outcome.

“And now, unfortunately, I didn’t win a race last year. Last year was the first year that I hadn’t won a race in NASCAR in 19 years.”

That streak had been one of the longest in the sport, moving past the mark set by Richard Petty.

When Sean asked, “Does that piss you off?” Busch answered directly.

“It does,” he said.

He then explained how fans responded to that change.

“People are like, I wouldn’t say they’re dying for me to win, but they’re pulling for you. They’re pulling for me. They’re like, man, we hated this guy, we never wanted to see him win another race, and now they’re like, we’ll eat those words. We want to see this guy win another race.”

NASCAR Cup Series driver Kyle Busch has not won a race yet this year. His results remain under focus, but his relationship with fans has clearly shifted.