Brexton Busch Drives Kyle Busch's No. 8 Car at Charlotte Memorial

CONCORD, N.C. — An emotional tribute to NASCAR champion Kyle Busch ended with his 11-year-old son, Brexton Busch, driving his father's No. 8 Chevrolet around Charlotte Motor Speedway on Friday, Oct. 9, before performing a burnout that drew cheers from thousands of fans honoring the late driver.

The public celebration of life, organized by Kyle Busch Motorsports and Charlotte Motor Speedway, followed a NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race. According to USA Today, the ceremony brought together family members, friends, fellow competitors and supporters to remember Busch's achievements as a driver, team owner, husband and father.

Busch, a two-time NASCAR Cup Series champion, died on May 21 at age 41 from complications of sepsis caused by presumed bacterial pneumonia. He held several NASCAR records, including the most combined career victories across the three national touring series, with 234 wins.

After the burnout, Brexton stood atop the Chevrolet, waved a checkered flag and performed the Busch Bow, the celebratory gesture associated with his father's victories, according to USA Today.

Busch's widow, Samantha Busch, addressed the crowd during the memorial, expressing gratitude for the support shown to her family and her husband's legacy.

"Kyle, babe, I wish you could see this," Samantha said. "I wish you could see how deeply you were loved and I wish you knew just how much all these fans out here appreciate you."

She also emphasized that the event was not intended to mark the end of her husband's story. His influence, she said, could continue through opportunities for young racers and the lessons he passed on to others.

"I don't want to feel like we're putting a period on this today. This is not the end of Kyle's story," Samantha Busch said. "His story continues every time we give a young racer a chance, share something he taught us, or tell the next generation what made Rowdy unforgettable.

"Years from now, I hope people remember Kyle as one of NASCAR's greatest drivers. He worked his entire life for that. But I also hope they meet someone whose life is better because Kyle was here. That's a legacy that no checkered flag can contain."

The memorial also recognized Busch's influence as the founder of Kyle Busch Motorsports, which competed from 2010 through 2023. According to USA Today, drivers for the Truck Series organization recorded 100 victories, while Erik Jones and Christopher Bell won championships with the team.

Nine of the 36 full-time drivers in the current Cup Series field began their NASCAR careers with Busch's organization, USA Today reported. The group includes Bubba Wallace, Daniel Suarez, William Byron, Erik Jones, John Hunter Nemechek, Todd Gilliland, Riley Herbst, Christopher Bell and Noah Gragson.

Bell credited the organization with providing a crucial opportunity early in his career as he reflected on Busch's demanding leadership and commitment to winning.

"There's not been a person in the industry that has had a bigger impact on my career than Kyle," Bell said. "Kyle Busch Motorsports is what gave me my opportunity on asphalt."

Gragson, Suarez and Bell also shared memories of Busch's approach to managing drivers, recalling his detailed post-race reviews and high expectations. Gragson described the former team owner's standards as a defining part of the experience.

"He just had such an incredible standard. We learned so much from him," Gragson said. "He just meant business every time he walked into a room."

Two-time Cup Series champion Kyle Larson recalled seeing a different side of Busch away from NASCAR's national spotlight, particularly at local dirt tracks where Busch coached Brexton. Larson contrasted those experiences with their fierce competition on the track, including a 2018 incident at Chicagoland.

"You see Kyle in the NASCAR setting, I got to see him kind of away from that. I got to see a different, light-hearted Kyle," Larson said. "He was a great coach and intense with Brexton. With me having a kid