Red-hot Kyle Busch helping Gibbs Racing move ahead minus Stewart

JOLIET, Ill. -- Joe Gibbs lost a two-time Sprint Cup champion this week when Tony Stewart was officially released from the team to start his own operation next season.

Kyle Busch's string of success is even amazing team owner Joe Gibbs. (US Presswire)

That's because the Joe Gibbs Racing team is in fine hands with the performance of 23-year-old Kyle Busch, who continues his quest to rewrite the NASCAR history book.

Busch's win Saturday night at Chicagoland Speedway wasn't just his seventh Sprint Cup victory of the season; it was the 14th win of 2008 in one of NASCAR's top three divisions, a performance that includes five Nationwide Series wins and a couple of Craftsman Truck Series triumphs.

"This is a dream season, man," Busch said after sweeping the weekend's races in Chicago. "I just cannot believe this."

Neither can a lot of people, including Gibbs, who knew he had a talent when he brought Busch over from Hendrick Motorsports this season. But never in his wildest dreams could he have imagined things to be this successful in such a short period of time.

"No, nothing like this," Gibbs said shaking his head. "Kyle is as talented a race driver as they come, but when you bring someone in to a new team, whether it was in football or here in NASCAR, you have to expect a learning curve or a transitional period. That certainly hasn't been the case with Kyle, who just continues to amaze even me."

His success has even Busch somewhat stunned and not completely sure why things have clicked on so many levels.

"I've had some good times in the past couple years, but nothing that's ever been as lucky as this," Busch said.

"But you just never know how this deal will turn. There's no rabbit's foot or four-leaf clover or any of that stuff that I have stashed in my pockets anywhere, but if there was something that I knew would bring luck, I would keep it."

With the way Busch has been driving this year and the powerhouse equipment JGR has given him week in and week out, luck seems to be the last thing needed. But Busch insists good fortune is a necessary element to the overall package of success he's enjoying.

"I'm hoping we don't lose it," he said. "There's definitely been some luck in this first part of the season. You know, you've got to have some of that to win some of these races. Some people say you would rather be good than lucky. Some people say you would rather be lucky than good. I would rather have a little bit of both and be able to go out there and capitalize with all of it on your side."

Busch's incredible performance is also starting to win some fans over to his side. While he still receives the loudest pre-race boos since Jeff Gordon's early 1990's fan reaction, every week Busch visits Victory Lane brings a bigger dose of cheers mixed with the post-race jeers.

"I said it last night (after his Chicago Nationwide win you go out there and do your job and do what you can," Busch said. "You've got to stay hungry and humble in this sport. So when the fans are out there and they are cheering or booing, it's great to have them here.

"They are here for a reason, and that's so they can help support us."

Busch has 17 races left to break the record for wins in NASCAR's Modern Era, which is held by Richard Petty and Gordon who each won 13 races in their historic seasons. With the way Busch is going that mark could be shattered by the start of the Chase in September.

"You know, this doesn't come along very often, Busch said."