Tributes to Kyle Busch, the popular driver who won more races in NASCAR’s national series than anyone in history, continued to pour in the day after his death.
Busch was sent to a Charlotte hospital with what was described as a “sudden illness,” his family announced Thursday, May 21. He died later that day at 41 years old. The Associated Press reported that Busch had become unresponsive the day after at a driving simulator in Concord, North Carolina. 911 calls obtained by USA TODAY said he was on a bathroom floor “coughing up blood” before emergency responders arrived.
His shocking death came shortly before one of the biggest days on the auto racing calendar. The Truck Series, in which Busch holds the wins records, was scheduled to kick-start the competition May 22 at Charlotte Motor Speedway leading up to the Coca-Cola 600, NASCAR’s longest race of the season. Earlier in the day May 24, the famed Indianapolis 500 is slated to run, as well as the Canadian Grand Prix F1 race in Montreal.
Legends from racing and other sports joined fans in mourning Busch’s death and sharing their stories of “Rowdy” on social media. Here’s a look at some of what they said and at tributes that have sprouted across the country.
Richard Childress Racing suspending Kyle Busch’s No. 8, saving it for his son
RCR announced Friday afternoon it will no longer run the No. 8 car, using No. 33 instead at Charlotte and beyond. The team added that “the No. 8 is reserved and ready for Brexton Busch (Kyle’s 11-year-old son) when he is ready to go NASCAR racing.”
Carson Hocevar talks Kyle Busch at Indy 500
Carson Hocevar was at Dover for Kyle Busch’s final victory and spoke at Carb Day before the Indianapolis 500 about Busch’s impact. “He has a thousand trophies, but the memories are going to live well past those trophies. The race track’s gonna be a little less chaotic without him and little less fun to watch and be around. A lot of people lost their biggest hero or the one they loved to hate, and we need both in that sport.”
Austin Dillon writes emotional letter to Kyle Busch
NASCAR driver Austin Dillon wrote a long story on Instagram that included touching moments about his grandfather Richard Childress’s reactions to adding him to the team. “I can’t thank you enough, KB. You are the ultimate racer and my favorite teammate and driver of all time. … I love you brother. Myself and all of the RCR employees will keep fighting and striving for more victories in your memory.”
Will Buxton of Fox Sports memorializes Kyle Busch at Indy 500 Carb Day
Will Buxton gave a Busch memorial during the Fox Sports coverage of practice at the Indy 500. “Kyle’s passion for racing was hard not to notice. If it had four wheels and an engine, there’s a very good chance Kyle was behind the wheel, and those races would likely end in victory lane.”
Indianapolis Motor Speedway announced that the pylon would be lit on lap 18 during Sunday’s Indy 500 in honor of Busch. IMS president J. Douglas Boles posted a message to Instagram saying in part, “He was a fan favorite, loved for his competitive spirit and passion. He understood what racing and winning at Indianapolis means.”
Dale Earnhardt Jr. talks mending fences with Kyle Busch
Dale Earnhardt Jr., whose father also died in tragic fashion too young, posted about Kyle Busch reaching out to build a better relationship than they had during their early days. “It was he who made the effort for that to be possible. We did some media together also to laugh through some of the things we put each other through many years ago. Most recently we had even been discussing him running my Late Model at Wilkesboro this summer. He seemed extremely happy and we had planned to meet up next Thursday to get his seat to the shop. He laughed over the idea of his fans and JRM fans having to cheer in unison during that race.”
Brad Keselowski on Kyle Busch
“Tonight, I feel a little like the coyote with no more roadrunner to chase,” NASCAR driver Brad Keselowski posted. “His loss is all of our loss, but none more so than his family’s. Thinking of Samantha, and Brexton and Lennix who lost their father today.
Chipper Jones shares Kyle Busch story
Chipper Jones, the Hall of Fame third baseman for the Atlanta Braves dynasty of the 1990s, shared a story about throwing out the first pitch at the Braves-Reds game played at Bristol Motor Speedway last year. “During the rain delay I asked who has won the most races at Bristol. Cup wise, we threw out names like Rusty Wallace and Darrell Waltrip. Kyle was quick to remind us that he had more thru ALL circuits of racing at the track. He was a dawg behind the wheel and I’m saddened to hear of his passing today.”
Ryan Blaney posts about Kyle Busch
“There never has been and never will be another racer like Kyle Busch,” wrote NASCAR driver Ryan Blaney. “Getting to know Kyle over the years, I got the chance to experience how incredibly funny and charismatic his personality was. I truly believe Kyle was the greatest driver that our sport has ever seen. And we were lucky to witness it, whether you’re a fan or competitor.”
Mark Martin reflects on loss after Kyle Busch’s death
Daytona International Speedway has tribute to Kyle Busch
A makeshift memorial was made in front of Daytona International Speedway for Kyle Busch, who won the pole for the 2026 Daytona 500 but never won the Great American Race. Fans came May 22 to lay flowers in Busch’s honor.
Carolina Hurricanes honor Kyle Busch before Stanley Cup playoff game
The news of Kyle Busch’s death came out hours before the Carolina Hurricanes were set to begin the NHL Eastern Conference Final in Raleigh, about 150 miles northeast of where he died in Charlotte. A moment of silence and video tribute to Busch were held before the opening faceoff.
This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: ‘I love you brother.’ Kyle Busch tributes flow after his death
Reporting by Dan Rorabaugh, USA TODAY NETWORK – Florida / The Daytona Beach News-Journal
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
