In the approximatley eight hours since Kevin Harvick hit “Tweet” on his phone sending out a Tweet that offered a $50,000 “Bounty” for anyone who could beat Kyle Busch in a NASCAR Gander RV & Outdoors Truck Series Race, the NASCAR Twitterverse has exploded, with drivers and teams reacting to this proposition throwing around ideas on how they were going to get into a Truck in an attempt to beat Kyle Busch.
The biggest advocate for this? Marcus Lemonis, CEO of Gander Outdoors, Camping World & Good Sam Enterprises. Initially, Lemonis raised the stakes, offering an additional $50,000 to any full-time Cup Driver that could beat Kyle Busch.
Hey @KevinHarvick I’ll match that… I’m that comfortable @KyleBusch can’t be beat… @NASCAR_Trucks @GanderRV @NASCAR https://t.co/OwF2WHOXdJ
— Marcus Lemonis (@marcuslemonis) February 22, 2020
Throughout the afternoon, the buzz began to reach accross social media, with multiple cup drivers, race teams and even sponsors expressing some interest in trying to defeat Kyle Busch. Denny Hamlin, Corey LaJoie, Landon Cassill, Timmy Hill, Brendan Gaughan (although technically ineligible) & John Hunter Nemechek all trying to get themselves a chance at the now $100,000 “Bounty”.
Hey @CocaColaRacing. Got a new energy drink you’d like to advertise on a Truck? https://t.co/UERiyVmKr8
— Denny Hamlin (@dennyhamlin) February 22, 2020
Find me a truck twitterverse. https://t.co/e9PBLPTuWP
— Corey LaJoie (@CoreyLaJoie) February 22, 2020
Glad I’m running full time cup this year… I have some more incentive these next few truck races ?
— Timmy Hill (@TimmyHillRacer) February 22, 2020
I think @NieceMotorsport needs to put @KyleLarsonRacin in a @PlanBSales Silverado for the Homestead race. I think our guy could beat KB at homestead!
— PlanBSales.com (@PlanBSales) February 22, 2020
But then, out of nowhere, Marcus Lemonis decided to increase the stakes EVEN MORE Tweeting to FOX Sports that if FOX elected to move this to FOX Prime Time, that Lemonis would put up a EVEN LARGER purse for the top-five finishers, throwing a number of $250,000 out, asking if $250K was “a big enough prime time purse ??”
If you @NASCARONFOX want to move this to @NASCARONFOX prime time then I’ll put up a much bigger purse for top 5 finishers and we will pack the stands. @NASCAR @GanderRV .. RT to help me make this happen $250k a big enough prime time purse ?? @KyleBusch @KevinHarvick @stevephelps https://t.co/BIa3QrG70u
— Marcus Lemonis (@marcuslemonis) February 23, 2020
One Big Question Remains? What happens if Kyle Busch is able to fend off all challenges? Well, if Kyle Busch is able o go undefeated and the “Bounty” is not claimed by any driver, then both Kevin Harvick and Marcus Lemonis will donate their $50,000 to Kyle & Samatha Busch’s charity The Bundle of Joy Foundation.
I like this. No one beats @KyleBusch we donate my $50,000 to @bundleofjoyfund you in @marcuslemonis ? https://t.co/EdOjK9vduS
— Kevin Harvick (@KevinHarvick) February 22, 2020
Absolutely https://t.co/K6Gcgp8aT5
— Marcus Lemonis (@marcuslemonis) February 22, 2020
Kyle Busch’s four remaining races include Atlanta Motor Speedway, Homestead-Miami Speedway, Texas Motor Speedway & Kansas Speedway. Thus far, we haven’t gotten official comfirmation on any new entries coming out of the woodwork to challenge Kyle Busch.
John Hunter Nemechek has mentioned that he is on board for the Texas Race, where Nemechek will run for NEMCO Motorsports.
I am in for the @NASCAR_Trucks @GanderRV Series at the @TXMotorSpeedway – maybe earlier to challenge. @romcoequipment | @NEMCOMotorsport | #NASCAR https://t.co/TmwKTjww4g
— John Hunter Nemechek (@JHNemechek) February 22, 2020
Brennan Poole is scheduled to run all four of Kyle Busch’s remaining races in the No. 30 for On Point Motorsports. Timmy Hill is also planning to run some of Kyle’s remaining races in his family owned No. 56 for Hill Motorsports.
One thing we know for sure? Marcus Lemonis loves NASCAR and loves the NASCAR Gander RV & Outdoors Truck Series, and he has continued to make that clear through his numerious seasons of title sponsorship, sponsorship of race vehicles across all three of NASCAR’s National Series, and his fun incentives that he has provided us with over the years. This will be an interesting story to watch over the coming months, to see who will enter these races, as well as if anyone can beat Kyle Busch.
UPDATE (2020-02-07): Chase Elliott will throw his hat into the ring at Atlanta; Driving for GMS Racing!
Chase Elliott Accepts the Kyle Busch Truck Series Bounty Challenge at Atlanta and Kansas
UPDATE (2020-02-07): Kyle Larson will also throw is hat into the ring; Running for GMS Racing at Homstead!
Make It Two: Larson Joins Elliott As Contenders For $100,000 “Bounty” For Beating Kyle Busch
This article will be updated with any new information as it is received.
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