Kyle Busch starts Tulsa Shootout with heat win in Winged Outlaw division

Just before 2024 turned over to 2025, Kyle Busch was slinging dirt at the Tulsa Shootout and earning a heat win in his Winged Outlaw car. Busch is one of a handful of NASCAR drivers competing at the biggest sprint car event of the year.

Kyle Busch and his No. 51 Lucas Oil machine were excellent. He started second in the heat and finished in front. That earns him points outright as well as a little boost with a single pass made. Advancing in the Tulsa Shootout requires finishing high in heats, and passing cars to earn points.

This isn’t the first time Busch has given Tulsa a try. But with more experience on the dirt now, is Rowdy ready to mix it up with the best on the dirt?

A rare sight in 2024, a smiling Kyle Busch, was present on Tuesday night. It doesn’t hurt that he won by more than two seconds.

Hauled some 🍑. Ready to keep after it and start 2025 off right. Two more Heats today.@Lucas_Oil l @FloRacing l @BendPak pic.twitter.com/ump78LmLOt

— Kyle Busch (@KyleBusch) January 1, 2025

After the heat win, Busch spoke to FloRacing. He is ready to keep the fun going as he will compete in multiple divisions in Tulsa.

“Yeah it sure does. I mean, Big Al and Aaron on the wrenches, they’ve been doing a really, really good job this week,” Busch said after his heat win. “I tell you what man, these outlaw cars are so much fun because there’s so much power in them, and that Lucas Oil with that Lineman motor is the great combination. It was really, really ripping, ripping that high side. So, loved it. All’s good right now, feels good. Want to go tune on it a little bit more and be ready for, hopefully, a qualifier when it comes time for the outlaw car. But plenty of more racing action here to go this week on Flo. So, appreciate everyone tuning in at home.”

Kyle Busch has a lot of racing still ahead of him. However, if you’re a Rowdy fan this is good news. Any kind of positive momentum is good for this driver right now. Coming off his first-ever winless season in the Cup Series a successful Tulsa Shootout can do a lot for confidence.

On top of that, Busch should be commended. He is not and has never been a dirt racer. He came up in the stock car ranks on pavement and that is what he specialized in as a professional racer.

However, in the last few years, Kyle Busch has branched out. With his son Brexton, dirt racing has been at least a fun family hobby but it is more than likely honing the skills of both father and son.

How far can Busch make it in his various efforts? He is looking good right now.