CONCORD, N.C. — NASCAR paid tribute to Kyle Busch on Sunday, in a poignant ceremony before the Coca-Cola 600 that moved many of those who competed against the two-time Cup Series champion to tears.
At the conclusion of pre-race festivities, a gathering that included Busch’s wife, Samantha; his two young children; his parents; his older brother, Kurt; and every driver in Sunday’s field, positioned themselves toward the exit of pit road at Charlotte Motor Speedway where, in the infield, the track had painted a large No. 8, the car number sported by Busch, regarded as one of NASCAR’s all-time great drivers, for the last four seasons of his career. NASCAR CEO Steve O’Donnell then spoke.
“This was Kyle Busch’s home, every racetrack was Kyle Busch’s home,” O’Donnell said. “He competed like he had something to prove every single race, when in reality he had already proven everything. What I think we’ll miss the most isn’t the wins. It’s the guy who quietly wanted to help a teammate or give some advice. The husband, the father, or the guy who quietly did things for others when no one was watching.”
In loving memory of Kyle Busch. pic.twitter.com/UvcB5C0oMn
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) May 24, 2026
The 41-year-old Busch died unexpectedly Thursday after suffering from severe pneumonia that progressed into sepsis, “resulting in rapid and overwhelming associated complications,” his family said Saturday in a statement. His death sent shockwaves through the closely knit NASCAR garage, casting a pall over the entire race weekend leading into Sunday night’s Coca-Cola 600, NASCAR’s longest race and one of its crown-jewel events.
Though NASCAR was clear it would honor Busch in a manner befitting his stature, it wasn’t known exactly how it would unfold. What ensued was a touching ceremony that will go down as one of the most heartbreaking moments in NASCAR history.
Sunday marked the first public appearance by Samantha Busch and the couple’s two children, son Brexton, 11 — himself an up-and-coming racer — and daughter Lennix, 4. Samantha and Brexton held each other during the tribute, both wearing T-shirts with “Battle of the Busches,” a race in which Kyle and Brexton competed against one another.
“Samantha, I want you to know that this sport stands with you, and you and your children are NASCAR family forever,” O’Donnell said, cheers erupting from the crowd. “And Brexton and Lennix, your dad loves you with all his heart. Everyone gathered here, everyone behind you, everyone watching on TV and all those people up in that grandstand, they are your family, and we’ve got you.”
Many of the gathered drivers wore Brexton Busch T-shirts during the ceremony, just one of several gestures paying respect to Kyle Busch and his family. In the pre-race drivers meeting, a chair in the front row reserved for Busch was kept empty as O’Donnell addressed the room. All day, many in the industry wore commemorative black hats with Busch’s No. 8 embroidered on the front.
After O’Donnell finished speaking, there was a moment of silence and performances of “Amazing Grace” and the national anthem. When the ceremony concluded, Samantha and the family moved to the pit box of Busch’s Richard Childress Racing team. Austin Hill was driving Busch’s car, with the No. 8 discontinued by RCR and replaced by No. 33.
Racing with heavy hearts. pic.twitter.com/GuxRm4a4YG
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) May 24, 2026
More tributes followed the ceremony. During the pace lap, the field fell into the missing man formation, with the pole-sitter dropping back to leave the No. 1 position empty as the field circles the track. Then, on Lap 8, the Prime broadcast went silent for an entire lap.
In preliminary races held Saturday night and Sunday morning, each winner performed a bow to the crowd afterward, mimicking Busch’s signature move after he’d win a race.
Busch was NASCAR’s all-time winningest driver, earning 234 victories across NASCAR’s three national series.
