Which driver is nicknamed 'Rowdy'?

Kyle Busch is the NASCAR driver nicknamed “Rowdy.”

The nickname comes from Rowdy Burns, the aggressive fictional driver played by Michael Rooker in the 1990 racing film Days of Thunder. Busch adopted the name because it matched his confrontational, hard-charging image on the track. “Rowdy” became one of his best-known labels alongside “the Candy Man,” “Shrub,” and the initials KFB.

Busch entered NASCAR's premier series in 2004 and became one of the sport's most successful drivers. He won Cup Series championships in 2015 and 2019, and his career has included victories at tracks ranging from short ovals to superspeedways and road courses. His aggressive style and willingness to criticize competitors helped make the nickname stick.

The name is not a reference to another NASCAR driver. It specifically points to the Days of Thunder character, while “Shrub” is a separate joke about Busch being the younger brother of fellow NASCAR champion Kurt Busch. Busch's former Rowdy Energy brand also used the nickname.