Gibbs to pilot tribute livery at Bristol in honour of Busch

Ty Gibbs is set to drive a No. 54 Toyota featuring an M&M’s mosaic tribute to the late Kyle Busch at the Bass Pro Shops Night Race at Bristol Motor Speedway on 19 September 2026. The announcement was made by Busch’s widow, Samantha Busch, via Instagram, confirming the design will honour Busch’s 22 career wins at the venue.

Samantha Busch stated that Bristol was one of Kyle’s favourite tracks, noting he loved racing under the lights and found significant success there. She described the iconic M&M’s car as holding some of the best memories of his career and their life together, expressing gratitude that the colours would return to Bristol one last time on the 54 car.

Gibbs, who is currently second in the 2026 Cup standings behind Denny Hamlin, succeeded Busch at Joe Gibbs Racing in 2023. The 23-year-old grandson of team owner Joe Gibbs ascended to a full-time position in the Cup series following Busch’s departure from the organisation.

In the 2026 season, Gibbs has recorded two wins, including the Iowa Corn 350 on 9 August, along with 10 top-five finishes and 15 top-10s. The tribute car will feature an M&M’s mosaic of moments from Busch’s career, serving as a visual acknowledgement of his impact on the sport.

Kyle Busch died aged 41 after being hospitalised overnight with a severe illness before passing away at his home in Las Vegas. His family has not disclosed the specific cause of death. Busch was a two-time NASCAR Cup Series champion and holds the record for the most wins across NASCAR’s three national series with 234 victories.

Busch secured 22 wins at Bristol Motor Speedway across three series, including his final win as a Joe Gibbs Racing driver in 2022. The Bass Pro Shops Night Race marks the final appearance of the tribute livery at the track, a venue where Busch thrived throughout his career.