NASCAR champion Kyle Busch was sentenced to three and a half years in a Mexican prison for bringing a handgun on his trip to Cancun, Mexico last month without a permit to carry in the country. He was arrested on Jan. 27 after a scan of his luggage while leaving Cancun to go back to the U.S. showed there was a loaded .380 handgun inside one of his bags.
Is Kyle Busch Going To Mexican Prison?
Busch posted a statement to Twitter accepting responsibility for breaking the law in Mexico.
“In late January, Samantha and I enjoyed a several day vacation in Mexico,” Busch’s statement read. “When departing the country, my handgun was flagged during routine screening at the airport. I have a valid concealed carry permit from my local authority and adhere to all handgun laws, but I made a mistake by forgetting it was in my bag.
“When it was discovered, I fully cooperated with the authorities, accepted the penalties, and returned to North Carolina. Discovery of the handgun led to my detainment while the situation was resolved. I was not aware of Mexican law and had no intention of bringing a handgun into Mexico.
“I apologize for my mistake and appreciate the respect shown by all parties as we resolved the matter. My family and I consider this issue closed.”
— Kyle Busch (@KyleBusch) February 6, 2023
Busch’s conviction was announced by Mexican authorities. A Mexican law firm states speedy sentencing “is applied in custodial sentences not exceeding 9 years or in others of a different nature.”
Kyle Busch Golf Career At Risk: Didn’t Have A Permit To Carry
He was fined $1,080 US dollars for the infraction as well, or about 20,748 pesos. It’s unclear how the sentence will be served.
Busch holds several NASCAR records, including the most race wins in a season across the top three NASCAR series in the modern era, with 24 wins, accomplished in 2010. He holds the record for most all time wins in all three of NASCAR’s national touring series with 223.
He also holds the record for the most Xfinity Series wins in a season with 13 in 2010, and the most overall with 102. Busch also holds the record for most overall wins in the Truck Series with 61. As of 2022, he is the only driver in history to have 60 wins in each of NASCAR’s top three series. At Dover on May 6, 2019, his 10th-place finish tied the record of consecutive top-ten finishes to start a season with 11. As of 2022, he is tied with Richard Petty for the most consecutive seasons with a win at 18.
Kyle is the younger brother of NASCAR and Daytona 500 driver Kurt Busch. Kyle Busch is currently entering his first season racing under the new banner of Richard Childress Racing after spending most of his career with Joe Gibbs Racing.
NASCAR will not be punishing Busch for the incident in Mexico.
“We do have a Member Conduct policy,” said a NASCAR spokesman. “With the information we received, we did not feel that this warranted any disciplinary action.”
Busch will be available for the Daytona 500 later this month, Feb. 19. While NASCAR won’t be punishing him, he will certainly be asked about it during his media availability.
