CONCORD, N.C. — Nascar honored Kyle Busch on Sunday with an emotional ceremony in front of the Coca-Cola 600 that moved many participants to tears as they competed against the two-time Cup Series champion.
At the end of the pre-race celebrations, a rally was held that included Bush’s wife, Samantha. his two young children; his parents. His brother Kurt. And all the drivers in the field Sunday took their positions toward the exit of Charlotte Motor Speedway’s pit road. There, in the infield, the number 8, the car number that Busch wore for the final four seasons of his career, was emblazoned prominently on Busch, who is considered one of the greatest drivers in NASCAR history. Next, NASCAR CEO Steve O’Donnell spoke.
“This was Kyle Busch’s home. Every racetrack was Kyle Busch’s home,” O’Donnell said. “He fought every race as if he had something to prove, but in reality he had already proven everything. What I think we’ll miss the most is not the wins. It’s the guy who quietly wanted to help his teammates and give advice. It’s the guy who was quietly doing things for others when no one was looking, whether he was a husband or a father or anything.”
In loving memory of Kyle Busch. pic.twitter.com/UvcB5C0oMn
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) May 24, 2026
Mr. Bush, 41, died suddenly on Thursday after suffering from severe pneumonia that progressed to sepsis and “prompted rapid and overwhelming associated complications,” his family said in a statement Saturday. His death shocked the tight-knit NASCAR garage and cast a pall over the entire race weekend following Sunday night’s Coca-Cola 600, NASCAR’s longest race and one of its best.
It was clear that NASCAR would honor Busch in a way befitting his stature, but it was unclear exactly how that would play out. What followed was an emotional ceremony that will go down as one of the most heartbreaking moments in NASCAR history.
On Sunday, Samantha Bush and her two children, son Brexton, 11, an up-and-coming racer in his own right, and daughter Lennix, 4, made their first public appearance. Samantha and Brexton hugged each other during the memorial service, both wearing T-shirts featuring the Battle of the Busch race that Kyle and Brexton competed in.
“Samantha, I want you to know that this sport is with you and that you and your children will forever be part of the NASCAR family,” O’Donnell said, as the crowd erupted into cheers. “And Brexton and Lennix, your father loves you dearly. The people here, the people behind you, the people watching on TV, the people in the stands, they’re your family. We love you.”
Many of the drivers in attendance wore Brexton Busch T-shirts during the ceremony, just one of several gestures to honor Kyle Busch and his family. At the pre-race drivers’ meeting, the front row chair reserved for Busch remained empty while O’Donnell addressed the room. Throughout the day, many in the industry wore commemorative black hats with Bush’s No. 8 embroidered on the front.
After O’Donnell finished his speech, there was a moment of silence, followed by the singing of “Amazing Grace” and the national anthem. After the ceremony, Samantha and her family moved to the pit box of Busch’s Richard Childress Racing team. Austin Hill was driving Busch’s car, but the No. 8 was retired by RCR and replaced with the No. 33.
I’m racing with a heavy heart. pic.twitter.com/GuxRm4a4YG
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) May 24, 2026
After the ceremony, many more people paid their respects. During the pace lap, the field fell into a missing formation, with the pole sitter falling back as the field lapped the track, leaving the first place position vacant. Then, on the 8th round, the prime broadcast was silent for one round.
In qualifying races held Saturday night and Sunday morning, each winner then bowed to the crowd, imitating Busch’s signature move after winning a race.
Busch was the winningest driver in NASCAR history with 234 wins in NASCAR’s three national series.
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