NASCAR’s newest television project will do more than revisit the sport’s history. It will also feature one of its most emotional conversations in recent memory.
USA Network’s three-part docuseries NASCAR Americana premieres Sunday night following the NASCAR Cup Series race at Iowa Speedway. While the series explores NASCAR’s evolution from its moonshining roots to its place in modern American culture, Episode 2 includes something many fans have been waiting to see: Kurt Busch’s first formal sit-down interview since the death of his younger brother, Kyle Busch.
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The interview anchors an episode centered on family, legacy, and the relationships that have defined NASCAR across generations.
Kurt Busch’s interview highlights NASCAR’s family ties
According to NASCAR, the second installment of “NASCAR Americana,” titled “Family Bonds,” premieres on Sunday, Aug. 16, immediately following the Cup Series race at Richmond Raceway.
The episode examines how NASCAR has remained a family-driven sport for generations, with fathers, sons, brothers, spouses, teams, and fans all playing a role in shaping its culture.
At the center of that story is Hall of Famer Kurt Busch.
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NASCAR said the episode features Busch’s first formal sit-down interview since the sudden loss of his younger brother Kyle Busch in May 2026. The interview reflects on the bond the brothers shared while exploring how drivers, teams, and fans came together to honor Kyle during the Coca-Cola 600 weekend earlier this season.
Rather than focusing solely on racing, the episode looks at the personal relationships that have helped define NASCAR through decades of competition and loss.
‘NASCAR Americana’ debuts this weekend
NASCAR Americana is a three-part series executive produced by Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterback Peyton Manning.
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The series premieres Sunday, Aug. 9, immediately following the NASCAR Cup Series race at Iowa Speedway on USA Network. New episodes will air after the next two Cup Series races before becoming available the following day on the USA Sports YouTube channel and Fandango.
Each episode follows a different theme:
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Episode 1: “Rebel Roots” (Aug. 9) traces NASCAR’s beginnings from its moonshine-running origins through the 1979 Daytona 500 that helped transform the sport into a national phenomenon. The episode also follows Ryan Blaney as he prepares for the 2026 Daytona 500.
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Episode 2: “Family Bonds” (Aug. 16) focuses on NASCAR’s multi-generational culture and features Kurt Busch’s interview reflecting on his brother Kyle’s legacy.
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Episode 3: “Enduring Spirit” (Aug. 23) explores NASCAR’s evolution into a national institution through the perspectives of five-time 2026 Cup Series winner Tyler Reddick and three-time Cup Series winner Bubba Wallace during the historic 2026 race at Naval Base Coronado.
The series also includes appearances from four-time Cup Series champion Jeff Gordon, country music star and Legacy Motor Club investor Darius Rucker, actor and Craftsman Truck Series driver Frankie Muniz, and several other prominent figures from throughout the sport.
For many longtime fans, however, Episode 2 is likely to become the emotional centerpiece of the series as Kurt Busch shares his perspective publicly for the first time since the racing world lost his younger brother.
