Kyle Busch, driver of the No. 8 NASCAR Chevy Camaro ZL1 at the Cup Series level, recently revealed that he had been detained in Mexico in January after being flagged for possession of a firearm during routine airport screening.
In a statement on social media, Busch said that he and his wife, Samantha, had traveled to Mexico for several days last month for a short vacation. “When departing the country, my handgun was flagged during routine screening at the airport,” Busch wrote. “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.”
— Kyle Busch (@KyleBusch) February 6, 2023
Busch then explained that upon discovery of the small firearm in his possession, he was detained until the situation was resolved. Busch alleges that he was not aware of Mexican law, and that he did not intend to bring the firearm into the country. According to the Associated Press, on February 3rd, Busch was sentenced to three and a half years in Mexican prison and was ordered to pay a $1,000 fine for having the weapon and ammunition. This punishment was given by a judge in the Quintana Roo, Mexico.
Ultimately, the judge elected to allow a conditional punishment instead, allowing Busch to exit Mexico and return to North Carolina after he paid a bond of an unspecified amount. Moving forward, the judge is expected to schedule another hearing in order to outline the conditional punishment for Busch, and where he will pay the aforementioned $1,000 fine.
Busch informed NASCAR of the incident, but will not receive any punishment from the sanctioning body. He has already competed in the No. 8 NASCAR Chevy at the 2023 Clash at the Coliseum since the incident, and is expected to be able compete in the forthcoming 2023 Daytona 500 next week.
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Comments
The only reason people go to Mexico for vacation is that their cheap even though they are dangerous and are famous for spiking drinks the US has warned people not to go to Mexico because of drug gangs killing and kidnapping, Quintana Roo, Mexico includes Cancun. That’s why Kyle Busch brought his gun, I can’t believe he is that dumb first off to take his wife to cheap dangerous Mexico but also break a gun law in Mexico. I bet he paid an outrageous amount of money for his freedom, the judge just bought a new Chevy. Well, Kyle now how much money did you save by taking a cheap vacation?
As the saying goes “Visit the USA in a Chevrolet”. Come on support American businesses.
That’s total B.S. We drive across the border to the lakes around Tamauilpa Mexico to fish every year and have never had a problem “but” it is not cheap, $2700.00 + per angler. The resort has an interpreter that meets us at the border to help with our entrance into Mexico. When leaving Mexico they ask why were you here and we say fishing, they ask if fishing was good and we nod our head and say yes and then slowly proceed across the border. There are several agriculture checkpoints after that in Texas and it’s obvious they are looking for more than just produce and are a bigger hassle than crossing the Mexico border.
Kyle probably went to Mexico for vacation so hopefully nobody would recognize him. Also, would you go to Mexico without a firearm? Ultimately it was a bad decision for him but i don’t blame him a bit for going there if he was trying to enjoy some down without everyone either wanting an autograph or to tell him how horrible he is or heck his wife may have always wanted to go, if momma wants to go guess what Hes going to go plain and simple. Cut him some slack, I’m sure he won’t be going back anytime soon. Yet I’m sure he wasn’t to worried about the cartels or he wouldn’t have gone in the first place. I mean technically he will probably be more in danger when he goes to Chicago for the street race but i digress.
Don’t blame him a bit but 1-who wants to go to that hell hole? 2-I don’t go anywhere I can’t carry. 3-We know you didn’t “forget” it but nice try. As the other poster said…stick to the USA – just don’t go to the hell hole cities run by gangs.
he just paid $68,000 dollars and now is a free man. It’s over.
It appears GMA is not accepting my comments.
It’s probably more dangerous to travel to California than Cancun. Remember what happened to NASCAR driver Bobby East? Bobby was stabbed to death by a homeless man at a California gas station in Westminster, California.