Indianapolis 500 honours Kyle Busch with tributes ahead of race
Drivers and officials pay respects to the two-time Cup Series champion following his death from pneumonia and sepsis at age 41.
Tributes to NASCAR driver Kyle Busch were woven into the fabric of the Indianapolis 500, with the racing community acknowledging the loss of a legend before the green flag waved. The Indianapolis Motor Speedway, which dubs itself the "Racing Capital of the World," ensured Busch’s presence was felt throughout the event following his death on Thursday at age 41.
Dale Coyne Racing altered the font on Romain Grosjean’s No. 18 car to replicate the style Busch used during his 14 seasons with Joe Gibbs Racing. The tribute extended to the pre-race ceremonies, where the opening prayer mentioned Busch by name, and race officials illuminated the scoring pylon next to pit lane on Lap 18 with his name, birth year, and the year 2026.
Busch, a two-time NASCAR Cup Series champion, died from severe pneumonia that progressed into sepsis, according to his family. He had been hospitalised earlier in the week, leading to his withdrawal from the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. He leaves behind two children and holds the record for the most wins, 234, across NASCAR’s three national series.
Fellow competitors expressed profound shock at the sudden loss. Katherine Legge, who returned to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Friday, described Busch as one of the greatest drivers of all time. She noted the difficulty of maintaining focus amidst the grief, stating that racing had lost a true legend.
Two-time Indy winner Josef Newgarden reflected on the fragility of life and the impact on Busch’s family. Newgarden, who also has two sons, said the situation made him think of Busch’s children, describing the emotional weight of the moment as heartbreaking for those who knew the driver personally.
