On what feels a fitting date to celebrate Kyle Busch’s impact on NASCAR, today — 8/18, a nod to Busch’s famed car numbers — the sport’s entire industry will recognize “Kyle Busch Day” with competitors, crew members, team owners and corporate execs sharing favorite memories of the two-time NASCAR Cup Series champion on multiple media platforms.
Busch, 41, passed away unexpectedly May 21 of complications from severe bacterial pneumonia and sepsis, however the impact of his life and career will never cease, thanks to an amazing legacy he established both on and off the race track.
“I think it’s an awesome remembrance and way to show he’s still on the top of all of our minds,” said Joe Gibbs Racing driver Christopher Bell, who credits Busch with helping establish his own NASCAR career. “I think the industry has done really, really, good of not letting it just go. He had such a big impact on the whole industry. So, I’m glad they’re implementing it and I know it will go on for years to come and will be something we always cherish.”
Busch is the all-time winningest driver across NASCAR’s three national series with an astounding – and never to be matched – combined 234 victories.
The 2015 and 2019 NASCAR Cup Series champion has 63 wins in NASCAR’s premier series, ranking him ninth on the all-time list – driving for legendary teams and Hall of Fame owners such as Rick Hendrick, Joe Gibbs and Richard Childress.
The 8/18 is a nod to the No. 8 Chevrolet that Busch was driving for Childress when he passed away this spring and the No. 18 Toyota, which he won his season titles with driving for Gibbs.
Not only was his skill appreciated, but behind the brash, bold and competitive personality Busch was a devoted husband to Samantha and proud father to Brexton and Lennix – whether it be meticulously guiding 11-year-old Brexton’s young racing career or twirling around his beloved 4-year-old Lennix dressed in a princess gown. His love for his young family was always first in his heart.
He and Samantha founded the Bundle of Joy Fund to help provide IVF access, the dedication touching countless souls after candidly sharing the couple’s own challenges with infertility treatment. The tireless work they put into creating and funding this charity is indicative of the ways the Busch’s hoped to positively impact other families.
It’s indicative of the passion Busch possessed and shared. And for a racer who loved to test the tolerance and gumption of his competitors, they all respected his talent on track and that compassion off it.
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