The Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife announced that the late NASCAR driver Kyle Busch was among the winners of this year’s moose lottery, securing an antlered moose hunting permit for October.
A posthumous permit
Busch, who died in May at the age of 41 from complications related to severe pneumonia and sepsis, had maintained connections to Maine through previous races in Oxford in 2011 and 2024. His participation in the lottery was confirmed by the state’s wildlife agency.
The 2024 lottery offered roughly 3,700 antlered moose permits, a figure that reflects the department’s effort to balance conservation goals with hunter demand. Winners receive the right to hunt a single moose during the designated season.
Transferable rights
Under Maine law, a moose permit may be transferred to a family member, allowing Busch’s relatives to pursue the hunt if they choose. The department noted that the transfer process will follow standard state procedures.
Busch’s involvement adds a poignant note to a sport that often intersects with regional traditions. While his racing career is remembered for championships and record‑breaking performances, this lottery win highlights the personal ties that can link athletes to the places they visit.
A legacy beyond the track
Fans and colleagues have pointed out that Busch’s participation underscores the unpredictable ways public lotteries can intersect with high‑profile lives. The Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, in partnership with organizations such as Dale Coyne Racing, Joe Gibbs Racing, and the state’s wildlife agency, continues to manage the program with an eye toward sustainable wildlife management.