NASCAR drivers and fans are remembering Kyle Busch not only for his success on the track, but for the impact he made off it following his sudden death.
Busch, a two-time Cup Series champion, had been preparing for this weekend’s Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway when he became unresponsive while using a driving simulator in Concord on Wednesday. He was transported to the hospital, where he died the following day.
Advertisement
Saturday, his family announced he died from severe pneumonia that progressed into sepsis.
His death prompted an outpouring of tributes across the racing world, including an order from Governor Josh Stein to lower North Carolina and U.S. flags to half-staff on state grounds through sundown Sunday.
For many, Busch’s competitive nature defined his career.
“He always brought fans to the stands. Every time he came on the racetrack, he was always racing hard, and I kind of bounced off of him because I raced hard. I don’t go out there to finish second, and I feel like he didn’t do that at all either. He always wanted to win, and that’s something I’ve always wanted to do every time I hit the racetrack,” said driver Carson Haislip.
Advertisement
Haislip said Busch also stood out for his willingness to engage with fans. In 2023, when Haislip was 15, he, alongside fellow driver Phoenyx Kimball, interviewed Busch at Wake County Speedway.
“It went great. A lot of people nowadays, when they get to (become) big names and stuff like that, they’re not really looking to talk,” Haislip said. “But he was really, really understanding, and he was all game for it.”
Busch’s commitment to family was also a defining part of his life, often seen attending races involving his son, Brexton.
“I watched it firsthand,” Haislip said. “You don’t see a lot of the NASCAR drivers just out there trying to make every single race they can, but he was doing that. He had to race on the weekends, but he was still making time for his son and that’s something that sticks out about Kyle Busch that I feel like a lot of people don’t notice is the family guy he was.”
Advertisement
Richard Childress Racing announced it will suspend the use of Busch’s No. 8 car, reserving it for Brexton when he is ready.
Fans across North Carolina said they were stunned by the news of his passing.
“I just almost had to pull over to a side road just because I’m a big fan of Kyle Busch and because I just couldn’t believe it,” said Walter Prince, owner of Walt’s Toys and Collectibles in Raleigh.
Prince described Busch as a widely respected figure in the sport.
“He was about the sport, and he was all about promoting it. He was just a super nice guy. Always a smile on his face. It was hard to pull against him because he was really just that nice of a guy. And he really carried the sport and helped bring it back to prominence,” said Prince.
Advertisement
Funeral arrangements have not been publicly announced.
WATCH: Racing legend Kyle Busch remembered for devotion to family, kindness and generosity
NASCAR star Kyle Busch is being remembered not only for his success on the track, but for his devotion to family and generosity off of it, following his sudden death Thursday at age 41.
Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: Sports.yahoo.com
