Kyle Busch Names Two Most Underrated NASCAR Drivers

Veteran Racer Reveals Picks in “12 Questions” Series

Two-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Kyle Busch has identified two drivers he believes are currently the most underappreciated in the sport. His insights come from his own decorated career, which includes 63 wins, the most among active drivers.

Busch’s Perspective on Top Talent

Speaking in Jeff Gluck’s latest “12 Questions” feature for The Athletic, Busch was asked to revisit a question from his 2011 interview: “Who is the most underrated driver in NASCAR?” While he named Matt Kenseth back then, his current choices represent a shift in focus to two contemporary veterans.

Busch stated, “There’s two. I would probably say Chris Buescher is one of them. And then I’d also go with AJ Allmendinger.” He elaborated on his reasoning for selecting Allmendinger, noting, “I think AJ is really, really good. Being (alliance) teammates with the Kaulig guys and stuff like that, and knowing where he’s at and what he’s doing and how he’s driving with similar stuff as us — I think he’s getting a lot out of his cars.”

Current Standings and Past Successes

Currently, Buescher holds the 11th position in the NASCAR standings, while Allmendinger is ranked 18th. Both drivers have a history of success in lower series, with Buescher being a former ARCA Racing Series and NASCAR Xfinity Series champion. He has secured multiple Cup Series victories, with his latest at Watkins Glen in September 2024.

Allmendinger, a two-time Xfinity Series champion, has also achieved wins in the Cup Series, though his most recent came at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in 2021. Despite their accomplishments, Busch believes their contributions are not fully recognized.

Broader Context in NASCAR

The conversation about underrated drivers often highlights racers who consistently perform well without the same fanfare as more established stars. This season, Allmendinger has shown strong pace, particularly on road courses, a track type where he has earned significant success. For instance, he secured a top-10 finish at Circuit of the Americas earlier in 2025, demonstrating his continued road-racing prowess.