New dad Kyle Busch eager to get back to racing

By Pete Iacobelli, Associated Press

Thursday, May 21, 2015 | 5:25 p.m.

CONCORD, N.C. — Kyle Busch says infant son Brexton can be anything he wants, even a race car driver. He just better be good.

Busch's wife, Samantha, gave birth to the 7-pound, 10-ounce boy Monday and the Sprint Cup driver says the family is doing well. Asked Thursday if he wanted his son to follow in his footsteps, Busch joked he'd better end up with the checkered flag.

"He'll only make it here if he wins races, that's my stipulation," Busch said. "He won't make it here if he ain't any good, that's for sure."

The newborn's father is one of NASCAR's best, winning 29 races since his first Sprint Cup event in 2004. He's prepping for NASCAR's longest race, the Coca-Cola 600 on Sunday night.

Busch's season got off to a troubling start at Daytona in February with a hard crash in the Xfinity series race where Busch broke his right leg and his left foot, needing two surgeries and nearly three months of recovery while missing all 11 Sprint Cup points races.

Busch returned to the track at Charlotte Motor Speedway for the All-Star Race last Saturday night, finishing sixth behind winning Joe Gibbs Racing teammate Denny Hamlin.

Busch had his struggles last week. He was penalized for speeding on pit row and later had to return to the pits to fix a loose wheel.

"Getting back in the race car was really good for me, really good for my team just to kind of get a basis, learn some things and get a feel for things," Busch said.

Busch was given a waiver that would make him eligible for the NASCAR's chase if he qualifiers. Busch understands what he's up against. "I'm most nervous of getting a race victory," he said.

Any worries about race issues were overshadowed, Busch said, by Brexton's arrival.

"That was pretty awesome, a pretty remarkable experience," he said. "I give all the credit to her."

Busch said he and Samantha are adjusting to their son the past few days.

"It's a whole different world now that he's here with having to take care of him," he said. "We've got to spread our time. Obviously, when his favorite thing to do is making stinky diapers, then you've certainly got your work cut out for you."