A powerful scene.
NASCAR is hoping to get the Coca-Cola 600 in this weekend despite the rain that’s falling over Charlotte Motor Speedway. But the dreary weather is almost a fitting scene given the heavy emotions that are still hanging over the sport after the sudden and shocking death of two-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Kyle Busch on Thursday.
Prior to his death, Busch’s family announced that the driver of the #8 car for Richard Childress Racing had been hospitalized for a “severe illness” and would miss this weekend’s race, with the team announcing that O’Reilly Auto Parts Series driver Austin Hill would step into the car.
But yesterday, RCR announced that they would be suspending their use of Busch’s #8 for the foreseeable future, and would renumber his car to the #33.
Prior to the garages opening for Cup Series teams, NASCAR announced that it would allow RCR and the newly-renumbered #33 car to be the first to unload from their hauler this morning. And when it came time to pull the car off the trailer, the entire Cup Series garage gathered around in silence as Busch’s car was rolled out:
Even Bubba Wallace, the driver of the #23 car for 23XI Racing, watched in tears and shared hugs with some of Busch’s crew as they pushed his car to its garage stall:
Just a surreal moment.
Meanwhile this weekend, several teams and drivers have added tributes to their cars this weekend, with all of the Toyota teams adding his signature “Rowdy” nickname above the car doors.
NASCAR President Steve O’Donnell addressed the media yesterday afternoon to share his thoughts on Busch, and reflected on the legacy that he’s leaving behind:
“Kyle Busch to me is an American badass. Behind the wheel, who you want to be. I think when you look back at all those things, that’s part of being a race car driver.”
He also confirmed that NASCAR would potentially be looking to add Busch to the NASCAR Hall of Fame immediately, alongside the class that was just announced for 2027. At the time of his death, Kyle Busch was the winningest driver in NASCAR history, with 63 Cup Series wins, 102 O’Reilly Auto Parts Series wins, and 69 Truck Series wins. He ranks 9th all time for Cup Series wins, including championships in 2015 and 2019.
His final victory came less than a week before his death, in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race at Dover, when he dominated the race in typical Kyle Busch fashion before celebrating with his signature bow.
NASCAR is now forced into the unenviable position of trying to move forward without one of their biggest stars, one of the most polarizing drivers on the track and one of their last remaining superstars. You can tell by the reaction and the mood in the garage as his car was being unloaded this morning just how heavy he is on everyone’s minds, and there’s no doubt the tributes to Busch will continue throughout the season and well into the future.
Just still doesn’t seem real, man. Rest in peace, Rowdy Busch. Your time on the track is done, but your legacy never will be.
