Kyle Busch is someone who continues to linger in the minds of those in the so-called racing capital of the world.
Indianapolis – Tribute Kyle Busch Get started before the biggest game of the year officially begins.
Dale Coyne Racing changed the font on Romain Grosjean’s No. 18 car during Sunday’s Indianapolis 500 to replicate the font the two-time NASCAR Cup Series champion and two-time Brickyard 400 winner used in his No. 18 car during his 14 seasons with Joe Gibbs Racing.
Then came the opening prayer, in which Bush was mentioned by name. On lap 18, race officials lit up the scoring tower next to the pit lane with Busch’s name, his birth year and 2026 written on it.
Despite the unprecedented pageantry of the big IndyCar race in Indianapolis, where Busch has the most wins (234) in NASCAR’s three national series, he is never far from the thoughts of the city that calls itself the “Racing Capital of the World.” The father-of-two died on Thursday at the age of 41 his family said It is severe pneumonia that progresses to sepsis.
“It’s just so sad. It’s one of those things where you try not to think about it or let it in because you have so much to do and you can’t let yourself get emotional,” Kathryn Legg said after returning to Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Friday. “But honestly, in my opinion, racing has lost one of its greatest drivers of all time. If you look back in history you will see – he was a legend.”
When Indy hosts its biggest race of the year, those who know or compete with Busch go into the race with heavy hearts.
“How can you not be shocked when faced with a situation like this?” two-time Indy champion Joseph Newgarden said Friday. “I think it just opens people’s eyes to how fragile life is. You just don’t know. It reminds me of his kids, to be honest. Oh my God, I feel terrible – I have two sons now. That’s what breaks my heart.”
Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. all rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
