NASCAR and IndyCar communities mourn the loss of champion Kyle Busch, with drivers sharing personal stories.
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Reactions are pouring in from NASCAR and IndyCar drivers after two-time champion Kyle Busch died on Thursday.
On Friday, drivers at the Coca-Cola 600 had stickers on their cars in memory of the racing legend. Busch had been set to take part in the race until his sudden illness. Austin Hill was announced as taking Busch’s place before word of the 41-year-old’s death.
At the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, where Busch won the Brickyard 400 in 2015 and 2016, drivers preparing for the Indy 500 told touching stories about Busch.
Katherine Legge spoke about how Busch and his wife made a real impact when she joined the sport.
“I am devastated for Sam and the kids. He and Samantha were two of the nicest drivers to me, welcoming me to the series. A lot of the drivers don’t even say hi, but they took the time to get to know me and give me some help and advice, and I would class them as friends now,” Legge said.
She went on to talk about how emotional this loss has been.
“Honestly, racing has lost one of the greatest drivers — in my opinion — of all time,” Legge said. “If you look back at the history, he was a legend, and I think there’s a lot of shock regarding it because he was so young and so healthy, and so it’s almost unbelievable, like it just bangs home the fact that life is so unfair.”
For Kyle Kirkwood, meeting Busch as a kid, inspired his racing career.
“My second race was Texas Motor Speedway. I think it was 2006 maybe, and that was where I got the signature from (Kyle Busch),” Kirkwood said. “That was the first professional racer that I think I met, from all forms of motorsports, and I remember I got that signature, and for many years and still to this day, I still have that hat. I still have it with my trophies at my house, but I remember that moment like kind of really turned me on to racing, and I thought it was one of those moments like I’m never gonna wash my hand again.”
Josef Newgarden said he didn’t know Busch very well, but admired his skill as a racer. His thoughts were with Busch’s family.
“Just a sad day for motorsport that lost one of the best, but my empathy, my feelings are towards his family for sure, and I, I hope that their community can rally around the kids. That’s what’s gonna matter at the end of the day,” Newgarden said.
The family of Greg Biffle, the former NASCAR driver killed in a Statesville, North Caroline, plane crash in December, along with his wife, son and daughter, released a statement on Facebook reflecting on their friendship with Busch and offering condolences to his family
“The passing of Kyle Busch is incredibly difficult to comprehend. First and foremost, we are praying for Sam, Brexton, Lennix, Gaye, Tom and Kurt. They stood with us through our own grieving just five months ago, holding our hand at the service and continuing to offer support and love. A loss like this is unimaginable for any family, and our hearts ache for them.
Kyle was larger than life—iconic, fiercely competitive and an amazing friend to Greg. They leaned on each other often, not only through racing, but through life and personal challenges as well. Greg and Kyle spent time together in Glamis during the offseasons, enjoying watching their boys together and always looking ahead to the future with excitement and pride.
It’s hard to imagine our racing community without Kyle. The impact of this loss will be felt far beyond the racetrack. We love the Busch family and will be here for them in any way they need.”
For more on the reactions from drivers after learning of Busch’s death, click here.