Kyle Busch Motorsports expands to two full-time truck teams

Winning 20 races this year in NASCAR's three national series apparently wasn't enough to satisfy Kyle Busch's motor sports appetite.

The 24-year-old Las Vegas native announced Friday in Charlotte, N.C., that he has expanded his Kyle Busch Motorsports operation to include two full-time teams and possibly a third in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series.

"It's a big undertaking ... pretty overwhelming," Busch said in a telephone interview after a nationally televised announcement.

"I feel I'm at the right time in my career to start something bigger, better, faster and stronger."

Busch is believed to be the youngest sole owner of a team in a major NASCAR series.

Tayler Malsam, 20, will drive a Toyota Tundra full time for Busch, who will share driving a second truck with Brian Ickler, 24, in a quest for an owner's championship.

Busch has 16 career truck series victories, including seven wins in the 15 races he entered this year driving for Billy Ballew Motorsports.

Busch's father, Tom, is overseeing the team's move to a temporary shop while a new building is being completed.

Kyle Busch, who won this year's Nationwide series championship and four races in the Sprint Cup series, will continue his two-year Late Model program, with Las Vegan Alex Haase getting an opportunity to run a part-time schedule in regional NASCAR races.

Busch's director of competition will be Rick Ren, who as crew chief helped Ron Hornaday Jr. win the past two truck series championships.

Busch said he hopes sponsorships develop to allow him to add a third truck for veteran Johnny Benson, the 2008 series champion.

"He sure as heck deserves it," Busch said. "I just hope we can find the sponsorship to support him and get out to Daytona for the (Feb. 12) opener."

Contact reporter Jeff Wolf at jwolf@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0247.