Overview
- Busch was hospitalized after becoming unresponsive while training in Charlotte and he died on May 21, with his family later confirming severe pneumonia that progressed to sepsis.
- Organizers and teams staged high-profile tributes at the Indianapolis 500 and the Coca-Cola 600 that included a large No. 8 on the infield, a missing-man formation on pace laps, decals on every car, and silence on lap eight of the race broadcast.
- Busch’s wife Samantha, their children Brexton and Lennix, his parents and brother Kurt attended an emotional pre-race ceremony at Charlotte where NASCAR CEO Steve O’Donnell led remarks and a moment of silence.
- Richard Childress Racing announced it will suspend use of Busch’s No. 8, field the renumbered No. 33 with Austin Hill in the short term, and has reserved the No. 8 for son Brexton when he is ready to race.
- Busch leaves a major legacy in the sport as a two-time NASCAR Cup champion with 234 combined wins across NASCAR’s top three series and his death has prompted widespread mourning among drivers, teams and fans.