It’s been three days since the NASCAR (and motorsports) community was shaken to its core when it was announced that Kyle Busch, a two-time NASCAR Cup Series champion and NASCAR’s winningest driver across its top three series, had unexpectedly passed away.
There has, no doubt, been a massive wave of emotions throughout the weekend, as several drivers, crew members, and fans present in the garage area this weekend – across the NASCAR Cup Series, NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series, and NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series – have been personally touched by Busch, whether that be personally or professionally.
However, no moment was more emotional than the opening ceremonies of Sunday’s Coca-Cola 600.
Present at Charlotte Motor Speedway were Samantha Busch (Kyle’s wife), Brexton and Lennix Busch (Kyle’s children), Tom and Gaye Busch (Kyle’s parents), and Kurt Busch (Kyle’s brother). Standing on pit road, NASCAR paid tribute to one of the sport’s legends, and behind his family, the entire garage gathered to offer their support.
Steve O’Donnell, addressing everybody at Charlotte Motor Speedway, said the following about Busch:
“Nobody ever feels prepared to speak at a moment like this and I think we can all agree that this is Kyle Busch’s home. Every racetrack was Kyle Busch’s home. He competed like he had something to prove every single race, and in reality, he’d 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, he was the husband, the father, and the guy who quietly did things for others when nobody was watching.”
“To the Busch family, Tom, Gaye, Kurt, all the folks at RCR and JGR, we are certainly thinking about you. Samantha, I want you to know this sport stands with you, and that you and your children are NASCAR family forever, and Brexton and Lennix, your dad loved you with all his heart. Everyone gathered here, everyone behind you, everybody watching on TV, and all those people up in that grandstand are your family, and we’ve got you.”
“Kyle Busch is NASCAR. He was one of a kind, and there will never be another.”
