Another NASCAR race day brought another wave of emotions for Samantha Busch.
Nearly two months after the death of her husband, two-time NASCAR Cup champion Kyle Busch, Samantha shared an emotional Instagram post Sunday reflecting on what race weekends now feel like for her family. While she admitted the pain of Kyle’s absence remains overwhelming, she also used the post to thank the NASCAR community, friends and fans who have surrounded her, son Brexton and daughter Lennix with support.
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“As another race day approaches I’m reminded again how much it hurts that we’re not there cheering on Kyle,” Samantha wrote. “It still feels surreal watching from the couch and I still catch myself looking for his name on the leaderboard. At the same time, I’m filled with gratitude.”
She continued by thanking NASCAR fans for the countless ways they have honored Kyle’s memory.
“To the NASCAR community and every single fan, thank you,” she wrote. “Over the past weeks you’ve surrounded Brexton, Lennix and me in ways I will never be able to fully put into words. You have honored Kyle’s life and legacy, shared your memories, prayed for us, cried with us and reminded us just how deeply he was loved.”
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Samantha Busch recalls emotional Coca-Cola 600 tribute
One of the moments that continues to stay with Samantha came during pre-race ceremonies at the Coca-Cola 600, where numerous NASCAR drivers honored Kyle by wearing his signature No. 8 gear during driver introductions.
“I’ll never forget sitting beside Brexton during intros at the Coke 600,” Samantha wrote. “As each driver walked onto that stage wearing Kyle gear, doing his signature bow, tears were streaming down my face to see how much Kyle is loved.”
She said watching Brexton’s reaction made the emotional tribute even more meaningful.
“Watching Brexton though every time a driver walked out in his tee he’d light up with a smile and look of awe. To see his heroes choose to wear his shirt in honor of his Dad made him feel so special. To see your child smile during such darkness is all a mom can ask for.”
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The post also included several photos from the family’s life together, including race day moments with Kyle, images of Brexton and Lennix, and a photo of Kyle’s memorial at Chicagoland Speedway.
Samantha Busch says NASCAR became family when her family needed it most
Samantha also thanked the NASCAR wives, close friends and fans who stepped in to help her family through the most difficult weeks of their lives.
“The NASCAR wives, thank you for showing up with meals when I couldn’t think about cooking, for the texts that reminded me I wasn’t alone, for continuing to love on us in the midst of your busy lives,” she wrote. “You didn’t just love on me, you loved on our children.”
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She added that close friends carried her through moments when she wasn’t sure how she would move forward.
“Behind the scenes, our family and closest friends carried me through moments I honestly don’t know how I would have survived,” she wrote. “They stepped in when I physically and emotionally couldn’t, sat with me in the silence, loved our children like their own, and reminded me over and over that I didn’t have to walk this road alone.”
Samantha closed the message with a reflection on what the NASCAR community has meant to her family over nearly two decades.
“And to the fans… thank you for loving us through every high and every low over the years. Your prayers, stories and unwavering support have always meant so much to us.”
“For nearly twenty years NASCAR has been our home and these past several weeks have reminded me that NASCAR isn’t just a sport, it truly is a family.”
