Kyle Busch, from the Mojave Desert to 234 victory lanes, was always larger than life

Around the time of Kyle Busch’s most controversial days with the NASCAR media, it was suggested I get to know him better by spending some time with him in the desert. Back then, Busch loved running his sand car up and down the towering sand dunes of the Mojave Desert. With a NASCAR engine powering the lightweight car, Busch would absolutely shred across the sand, rocket up a steep hill, turn and plunge down it like a rollercoaster. It was the most thrilling of thrill rides, and the most freeing. Out in the desert, there was no scrutiny of his clashes on the track, no dissection of his...