Sorry, LeBron: Kyle Busch says 'you can't self-proclaim' as greatest ever
By Nate RyanJan 31, 2019, 11:00 AM EST
If we were choosing a fantasy team of four drivers across any era in NASCAR, Kyle Busch would list himself with David Pearson, Tim Flock and Dale Earnhardt.
But that doesn't necessarily mean the 2015 champion considers himself one of the greatest drivers in NASCAR history yet.
"I'm not going to answer that question," Busch told NBC Sports when asked during an interview this week. "Because it's not for me to answer."
The 2015 series champion was one of a few dozen drivers who sat down with a crew from NASCAR America to answer a series of questions, one of which was: What four drivers are on your NASCAR fantasy team?
Busch was the only NASCAR driver in his answer to cite LeBron James, who recently proclaimed himself to be the greatest NBA player of all time. Leading the Cleveland Cavaliers to the 2016 championship after falling behind 3-1 to the Golden State Warriors made him The Greatest, James said, though others took umbrage at the assessment.
"Everybody was like how they're the greatest team of all-time, they were the greatest team ever assembled," James said. "And for us to come back, the way we came back in that fashion, I was like 'You did something special.' "
Busch said he wouldn't allow himself that declaration as NASCAR star.
"I'm kinda weirded out by what LeBron James had to say a few weeks ago about he feels as though he's the greatest of all time," Busch said. "You can't self-proclaim that. I'll never self-proclaim myself as the greatest of all time."
The decided lack of hubris might seem discordant with the self-proclaimed "KB Show" who takes a bow to the grandstands after each of his victories and regularly challenges his detractors on social media. Busch seems to relish being the center of attention as one of the more polarizing drivers in the Cup Series.
But Busch, who has 194 victories across the top three series (including 51 in Cup), takes a more modest view in ranking his own accomplishments.
"Will I put myself in the discussion and say am I one of (the greatest ever)? Yes," he said. "Do I feel as though I could be one of the greatest of all time, like if it's top five that you're talking about? I would say yes.
"But never the No. 1."
NASCAR America will return to NBCSN at 5 p.m. on Feb. 11. Stay tuned for how drivers answered that question along with many others.
And watch this Friday at 8 p.m. on NBCSN as the NASCAR Hall of Fame's 2019 class (Jeff Gordon, Jack Roush, Roger Penske, Alan Kulwicki and Davey Allison) is inducted in Charlotte.
Regardless of how he ranks himself, Busch undoubtedly will be enshrined there someday.