CONCORD, N.C. – The NASCAR community paid tribute to Kyle Busch Sunday, moments before the Coca-Cola 600 green flag at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
Busch died Thursday after a bout with severe pneumonia and complications from sepsis, which stopped the sport in its tracks hours before one of its marquee weekends.
MORE: Reflecting on Busch’s life
NASCAR CEO Steve O’Donnell addressed the media in Sunday’s pre-race drivers meeting, approximately one hour before the green flag waved. In the meeting, a front-row seat was left open for Busch in his remembrance, with Richard Childress Racing teammates Austin Dillon and Austin Hill just behind. Hill is driving the No. 33 Chevrolet in Sunday’s race, piloting the vehicle previously numbered No. 8 that belonged to Busch.
“It’s not lost on me, and I think everyone here, the loss of Kyle looms heavy, I think, on our entire industry,” O’Donnell said. “And like me, I’m sure you’ve read many of the tributes, heartfelt, from competitors, how Kyle maybe shared a bit of wisdom about how to go about a certain turn, or how to maybe make a tweak to the race car. …
“I think we’ve all long known Kyle as a giant in our sport, but the outpouring of support outside what it is to be in the NASCAR garage has truly proven just how deeply he impacted so many. While we’re all grieving in our own way. I believe it’s our job now as an industry to carry on Kyle’s incredible legacy and support his beautiful family, Samantha, Brexton, Lennix, Kurt, their parents, everyone at RCR, JGR, and everywhere that Kyle raced, including at KBM.
“And as I said Friday in the media, our race and community is one big family, and I believe that with everything in my being. We carry this immense loss together. We’re going to miss Kyle, and I want to thank Kyle for being him. He was truly NASCAR.”
Following Memorial Day military performances and driver introductions conducted as part of pre-race ceremonies, O’Donnell gathered with the Busch family as Kyle’s wife Samantha and children Brexton and Lennix joined Kyle’s parents Tom and Gaye as well as his brother and NASCAR Hall of Famer Kurt Busch. Backed by the NASCAR Cup Series field, they surrounded a black No. 8 logo painted into the infield turf adjacent to pit stall No. 3 in an emotional tribute as the Busch family made its first appearance since losing its husband, father, brother and winner.
O’Donnell addressed the crowd, honoring the two-time champion who departs as NASCAR’s winningest driver with 234 victories across the sport’s three national series.
“What I think we’ll miss most isn’t the wins,” O’Donnell said. “It’s the guy who quietly wanted to help a teammate or give some advice. It was the husband, the father or the guy who quietly did things for others when no one was watching.”
O’Donnell then took a moment to address Busch’s immediate family.
“Samantha, I want you to know that this sport stands with you, and that you and your children are NASCAR family forever,” O’Donnell said, the crowd cheering in agreement as a “Rowdy” chant broke from the grandstands. “Brexton and Lennix, your dad loved you with all his heart. Everyone gathered here, everyone behind you, everyone watching on TV, and all those people up in that grandstand are your family. And we’ve got you.”
Once the 39 drivers climbed behind the wheel and fired engines, the field paid tribute once more before the green flag. Polesitter Tyler Reddick left an opening space on the front row, creating a “missing man” formation for Busch in pole position.
The NASCAR Cup Series then took its first green flag without Busch since 2015. Fans paid tribute at Lap 8, saluting Busch in his absence.
