by Two-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Kyle Busch was arrested and detained in Mexico in January after a handgun was found in his purse as he and his wife Samantha boarded a private jet to leave the country after a vacation.
According to the Mexico attorney general’s office, a Nevada native identified as “Kyle Thomas B” has been “credited with full responsibility in the commission of the felony of carrying an unlicensed firearm and possession of cartridges for the exclusive use of ‘armed forces’.
The attorney general’s office said Busch was arrested on Jan. 27 and sentenced Monday to 3 1/2 years in prison and a $1,100 fine. No information was provided in the statement about how Busch’s sentencing would be handled.
Busch, 37, said in a statement that he considers “this issue closed” and finished third in Sunday night’s NASCAR Clash exhibition race. He said he “adheres to all firearms laws,” but also admitted in the same statement that he was unaware of Mexican law that prohibits the possession of a firearm in the country without Mexican approval.
“In late January, Samantha and I enjoyed a several-day vacation in Mexico,” Busch said. “When I left the country, my handgun was tagged during routine airport checks. I have a valid concealed carry permit issued by my local authority and comply with all firearms laws but I erred in forgetting it was in my bag.
“The discovery of the gun led to my detention while the situation was resolved. I was unaware of Mexican law and had no intention of bringing a gun into Mexico.
According to the Attorney General, Busch’s pistol contained six hollow point cartridges.
Busch is entering his first season with Richard Childress Racing after spending the majority of his Cup Series career with Joe Gibbs Racing. Busch has the most wins in NASCAR’s top three series combined at 223, but was unable to reach an agreement to continue his career at JGR after longtime sponsor M&M Mars decided to leave NASCAR after the 2022 season.
Busch won both Cup Series titles with JGR and had 56 of his 60 career Cup Series wins with the team. Busch’s 60 Cup victories tie him with Kevin Harvick among active full-time Cup Series drivers, and Busch and Joey Logano are the only active full-time drivers with more than one Cup Series title.
