Kyle Busch was supposed to race Sunday night.
Instead, his family was at the Charlotte Motor Speedway to mourn him with thousands of fans. His wife Samantha, their children Brexton, 11, and Lennix, 4, were joined by his parents Tom and Gaye, and his older brother, NASCAR Hall of Famer Kurt Busch, walked into the infield where NASCAR president Steve O’Donnell paid tribute to the two-time NASCAR Cup Series champion.
“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, give some advice, the husband, the father, the guy who quietly did thing for other when no one was watching.”
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As O’Donnell spoke to the crowd, Samantha Busch clung tightly to her son and sobbed.
He then spoke directly to the family.
“Samantha, I want you to know that this sport stands with you, and you and your children are NASCAR family forever. 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.”
He closed simply.
“Kyle Busch is NASCAR. He was one of a kind, and there will never be another.”
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Busch died May 21 at 41 after severe pneumonia progressed into sepsis. He was preparing for the Coca-Cola 600, a race he won in 2018, when he became ill. Richard Childress Racing has reserved Busch’s No.8, until Brexton is ready to carry it forward in NASCAR.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Kyle Busch tribute at Coca-Cola 600: Family joins NASCAR
