I don’t usually get emotional while writing, but that’s happened just a couple of times in my life. Last Christmas, Greg Biffle was in a plane crash, and just last Thursday, I went from hitting golf balls to reflecting on Kyle Busch.
“This can’t be real,” I thought, struggling to write anything that made sense.
I kept waiting for a message from someone in NASCAR to clarify that it wasn’t true—hoping Kyle was okay. Sadly, he wasn’t.
Two-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Kyle Busch tragically passes away at 41 after hospitalization.
I was constantly refreshing Twitter, hoping Bob Pockras would tweet some good news, or checking Instagram for a silly video from Samantha Bush. But silence engulfed the NASCAR community, which was in shock. For those who recall losing Dale Earnhardt… it feels like losing your own.
And that’s no exaggeration. That’s genuinely how significant Kyle was in this sport.
I know there was a race on Sunday night, and Daniel Suarez emerged victorious after NASCAR canceled due to rain with 27 laps to go. I truly admire Daniel. He finally got that coveted win, driving a Spire car. I wish I could celebrate that today.
But today isn’t about him; no one expects that, right?
We’ll navigate through stories and memories, talking about Kyle and his family—his wife and two kids. Did you happen to catch last night’s truck scene? It was something special. NASCAR, above all.
We’ll feel sadness and anger, and yes, perhaps some laughter too. It’s hard to believe we’re bidding farewell to Kyle Busch.
We’re going to try our best to emulate what Rowdy did best: perform well and take a bow at the end. Let’s dive into it. I’ll give it a shot.
Four tires, enough fuel, and maybe a snack of M&M’s or Skittles or Rowdy energy drinks, though I think they’ve been discontinued. But that doesn’t matter! We could really use them today.
Monday Morning Pit Stop — “How long can NASCAR fans hold up?” edition — Live:
Ryan Blaney gave us a delightful, unexpected Kyle Busch story
Where to even start today? Seriously, how should we approach this? I’ve already penned a lengthy piece about Kyle’s death that I’ll promote later—gotta keep the lights on.
What I’m getting at is, I’ve been handling serious matters for the last few days, and it’s tough.
I’d rather not be sad today—not just yet. I think laughter is needed. Has anyone genuinely laughed at NASCAR in the past few days? I doubt it.
So let’s begin this tribute by remembering who Kyle was. He was like a big kid—an adult-sized one, in the best sense.
WWE fans remember 24/7 Champion Kyle Busch
Kyle Busch transcended being just an elite NASCAR driver.
I still can’t believe it. The meme of Kyle lying under the curtain has floated around on NASCAR Twitter for years, and I never knew its origin. But it’s perfect.
He went out with a bunch of young guys, tried to keep up, and ended up lying on the ground the next day while everyone was being interviewed. And that’s the kind of person I want to be around.
Someone who can take life lightly, just wanting to enjoy themselves.
Everyone knows who Kyle Busch was—a two-time champion and the driver with the most wins. He was unbelievably competitive, doing whatever it took to win.
Yet, as Ryan pointed out, he was also a genuinely good guy off the track, spending time with Samantha, dancing on tables, and appearing in her TikTok videos. He made a promise to hang out with the guys and then ended up sleeping in the media center the next day.
He was the best driver of my generation but also had a real love for his fans and fun.
Father Kyle and Mentor Kyle
I genuinely can’t believe we lost him last week. It just doesn’t feel real or fair. It’s difficult to process.
Kyle leaves behind his wife, Samantha, and their two kids, Brexton and Lennix. This is the hardest part. The thought of them is simply heartbreaking.
I can’t possibly imagine what this past week has been like for them. All three were at the track last night before the year’s longest race, making it a powerful moment.
NASCAR Truck Series and O’Reilly Auto Parts Series held a moment of silence for Kyle Busch in Charlotte.
This wasn’t just a significant moment in NASCAR, but in all sports.
As much as I often critique NASCAR, I have to give credit where it’s due; they handled everything remarkably well. I thought Steve O’Donnell did wonderfully this weekend. This was his first major test since becoming NASCAR CEO.
And he excelled.
This situation has reminded us all how close families are in NASCAR, from fans to drivers and owners.
Now, fans have access to drivers like never before in other sports. We’re all growing closer, sharing our lives with each other, even introducing our kids, spouses, and parents. We really do feel like part of their family.
That kind of intimacy isn’t found in the NFL or Major League Baseball. It’s what sets NASCAR apart.
Charlotte and Kyle’s farewell scene
Can you believe it? It’s all about family. Who would have thought Bubba Wallace and Rowdy Nation would become friends? But honestly, during times like these, the petty rivalries fade away. We come together, supporting one another.
That’s what families do. That’s what NASCAR excels at.
From John H:
“There were three races. Each race ended with a caution. I used to complain about Cup cars, but Kyle Busch was my favorite driver, and I cherish my memories of him. It was a tough weekend, but it was a great representation of NASCAR’s family.”
Amen, John. Absolutely. Today isn’t the day to nitpick racing. What we can do is… we have 51 more Mondays to think about racing (yes!).
But this weekend wasn’t about racing for me; it was about NASCAR coming together during its darkest hours, showing us why we fell in love with this sport from the start.
Now, I’ll share some notes from my weekend.
A few observations:
- It was heartbreaking to watch the unveiling of Kyle’s rebranded No. 33 Chevrolet.
- As Richard Childress mentioned, they’re parking Kyle’s No. 8 car until Brexton wants to drive it. Mark your calendars for 2033.
- The feature on Dale Jr. was perfect; no one captured the moment like him.
- Can you believe that last night was the first Cup race without Busch or Earnhardt since 1979? Such an amazing statistic.
Well, that’s all I have for now. Today’s reflections may not have been the most enjoyable, but I think it went well. I hope you all found reasons to smile today—Lord knows we need it.
As I head home, I’m reminded of Kyle Busch after his final NASCAR win at Dover just ten days ago. I wrote about that on Friday, but it’s worth revisiting.
There’s a valuable lesson for all of us here.
See you next week.
