The Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife announced that the late NASCAR driver Kyle Busch had been selected in the state's annual moose hunting lottery for the upcoming October season.
Busch died in May at the age of 41 after complications from severe pneumonia and sepsis, bringing an abrupt end to a career that included multiple Cup Series championships.
Maine Roots and Racing Memories
Although born in California, Busch maintained strong ties to Maine, having competed at the Oxford Fair Speedway in 2011 and returning for a celebrated appearance in 2024 that endeared him to local fans.
The lottery this year made approximately 3,700 moose permits available, each granting the holder the right to hunt during the October window, and state law allows such permits to be transferred to a family member.
Officials with the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife said that while selections of deceased participants are rare, they are not unheard of and reflect the random nature of the lottery combined with the state's policy of honoring participants.
The episode highlights the intersection of national sports culture and regional wildlife management, showing how a figure from the NASCAR circuit can become part of a long‑standing Maine tradition.