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 borther, Kurt; and every driver in Sunday’s field, positioned themselves toward the exit of pit road at Charlotte Motor Speedway where the track had painted a large No. 8 in its infield, 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, 2026The 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.
