Mark Faber says Busch’s loss leaves a “hole in NASCAR community,” describes his recent interaction with Busch at Texas Motor Speedway.
FORT WORTH, Texas — A somber mood settled over Texas Motor Speedway on Thursday as a tribute to Kyle Busch appeared around the track where he built one of the most dominant records in NASCAR history.
Busch’s photo now sits on display on the speedway’s Big Hoss, the world’s largest TV screen, a fitting tribute at the track where he captured more victories in all race categories than any other driver across NASCAR’s three national series.
For many in North Texas racing circles, news of Busch’s death came as a shock. He was 41.
“I was absolutely stunned,” Texas Motor Speedway General Manager Mark Faber said in an interview with WFAA Thursday.
Faber said Busch had raced at the Fort Worth track just three weeks ago during the NASCAR triple-header weekend.
“We actually talked briefly when he was here,” Faber said. “It’s just staggering to think about the fact that he’s gone three weeks later.”
Busch, a two-time Cup Series champion nicknamed “Rowdy,” was widely regarded as one of the most talented and polarizing drivers in modern NASCAR history. His aggressive driving style earned him both devoted fans and outspoken critics, something Faber said Busch embraced throughout his career.
“He had his fans and then the ones that didn’t like him,” Faber said. “He would go out and say, ‘I’m going to prove I’m a great race car driver.’”
Faber called Busch “a generational talent” and said NASCAR is losing one of the most accomplished competitors the sport has ever seen.
“NASCAR is losing a generational talent, someone who has won more races in NASCAR across all three series,” Faber said. “Someone who was a fierce competitor.”
According to Faber, Busch’s impact stretched far beyond the track itself, especially in Texas, where his repeated success helped draw fans to the sport.
“Kyle’s impact on North Texas, the state of Texas and the region was significantly great because of how many races he won here,” Faber said. “His competitive spirit and aura around him would draw people to the sport.”
Faber said Busch’s death leaves a void in the North Texas NASCAR community.
“I think Kyle’s passing and death is going to leave a hole in NASCAR for a few years going forward,” he said. “There’s going to be a gap in racing with Kyle passing.”
Texas Motor Speedway leaders are now discussing ways to honor Busch’s legacy at the track where he became its winningest NASCAR driver.
“We’re certainly going to miss him here,” Faber said. “That’s hard to replace somebody like him. The personality he had and the love for the sport.”