Andy Gee has worked side-by-side with Busch since 2011
By Andrew Harris, photo from NASCAR
I’ve always been a little bit jealous of Andy Gee watching his dream career in professional motorsports unfold and put him at the heart of a sport he has always loved.
Not today.
Gee has been working with Busch for fifteen years, living a racing fans dream. During this dreamy career Kyle Busch became more than boss, Gee and Busch were like family. They’ve spent many miles together both on the racing circuit but even more behind the scenes.
The racing world was shocked when Busch passed away on Thursday at the age of 41. For Gee it wasn’t just a racing hero, it was a close friend, as close as a brother. He made this statement on social media shortly after Busch’s passing was announced:
It is unreal that this photo was taken last Friday and now he’s gone. Fans got to see the Rowdy of old one last time complete with a bow. Thoughts and Prayers to Samantha, Brexton, Lennix, and the rest of Kyle’s family and all of us that were his family at KBM. You pushed everyone that walked through those doors to be better at their jobs and it’s amazing not only the talent you help developed on the track, but the pipeline of crew chiefs and crew members that have gone on to successful careers at the highest levels of NASCAR. We are all better at what we do because of your “tough love.”
Besides the years traveling the nation and working in the industry, Gee’s connection to Busch goes deeper, and back to his roots in Wellsville. Andy’s little sister Ashley Elias, explains that Busch was a big part of the Gee family passion for motorsports and racing. Andy and Ashley are the children of the late Roger and Deb Gee, racing superfans and whom all have become part of the Kyle Busch universe. Ashley said this about that connection:
My dad was a lifelong Dale Sr. fan and you could tell Kyle reminded him of Dale with his fire, competitiveness, and larger-than-life presence he brought behind the wheel. You either loved him or hated him- just like Dale Sr. but you could never deny his talent. Watching my dad become a Kyle fan, and Dad and Andy sharing the “Kyle bond” was something really special to witness.
More on Busch’s career, reaction from Watkins Glen, and recent passing from the HornellSun.com
