Kyle Busch's longtime spotter reveals what he was really like behind the scenes
Kyle Busch's longtime spotter reveals what he was really like behind the scenes
Charlie Wilson Mon, June 1, 2026 at 12:15 PM UTC
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NASCAR Cup Series Championship
Kyle Busch died aged 41 last month (Image: Getty)
Kyle Busch's long-time spotter Tony Hirschman has opened up on the late NASCAR driver, saying he wishes fans knew what he was like behind the scenes in a fitting tribute.
The legendary figure sadly died aged 41 after a short illness, being hospitalized with pneumonia which led to sepsis. A doctor told Express U.S. Sports that the death was preventable. His sudden death had come as a monumental shock to NASCAR fans, teams, and drivers.
The two-time Cup Series champion was actively racing and had just won in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series just three days before his passing. Tributes have been paid to him, with his spotter being the latest to speak on his character. It comes after Busch's death certificate outlined a horrific 'chain of events' leading to his passing.
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Hirschman said on the Door Bumper Clear podcast: "I wish everybody could have seen the off-camera Kyle, the behind-the-scenes.
"I know he's helped just the short track stuff and behind-the-scenes stuff and doesn't want notoriety for that. And that's hard to come by."
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Tony Hirschman (second to left) was Busch's spotter for 10 years (Image: Getty)
Hirschman recalled one instance where Busch came in to their shop to see if he could help them on a day off, while providing aid for a driving prospects career and how he could support them.
He said: "When he came to my dad's shop, there was one time, just when he walked in, it was just like the questions he would ask. Matt was working on his car, and at that point, I think Matt's car was maybe 13 or 14 years old, and Kyle was like, 'How old is this car?'
"Matt's like, 'Oh, we built it in '03,' and Kyle's like, '13?' Matt's like, 'No, 2003,' so Kyle's like, 'Well, how many races you have on it?' And Matt's like, 'I don't know, like a hundred something.'
"And then Kyle's like, 'Well, our average lifespan of our cars is 2.4 races or 2.3 races.' So, my dad is just over there shaking his head."
Thousands of NASCAR fans at Charlotte Motor Speedway raised eight fingers toward the sky to honor Busch last week, with the sport continuing to be in mourning after his tragic passing.
It comes after Busch made a damning NASCAR claim following his final win.
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Source: “AOL Sports”
