NASCAR honored the late Kyle Busch with several tributes at the Coca-Cola 600

Tributes to the late Kyle Busch were abundant throughout the NASCAR weekend at Charlotte Motor Speedway, especially at Sunday’s Coca-Cola 600. Before the green flag, NASCAR had a special moment of tribute to Busch, who died suddenly Thursday of complications from pneumonia. He was 41 years old. Busch’s wife, Samantha, and their two children, Brexton and Lennix, were in attendance, as was Busch’s older brother, NASCAR Hall of Famer Kurt Busch. Busch’s stylized Richard Childress Racing Cheverolet No. 8 was painted on the CMS infield. As the NASCAR field and other participants faced the painted infield, NASCAR CEO Steve O’Donnell paid a brief tribute to the two-time NASCAR champion. “He competed like he had something to prove in every race, when in reality he had already proven everything,” said O’Donnell, standing in front of Samantha, Brexton and Richard Childress. “What I think we’ll miss most isn’t the wins. It’s the guy who quietly wanted to help a teammate or give advice. It was the husband or the father or the guy who quietly did things for others when no one was watching.” Once O’Donnell finished, everyone shared a moment of silence to honor Busch before the race. Kurt also walked onto the infield and placed eight white roses on No. 8 in the grass. Austin Hill replaced Busch for Richard Childress Racing but behind the wheel of the No. 33 Chevrolet. Childress said the No. 8 car will remain vacant, waiting for Brexton, 11, if he ever advances to the Cup Series. Additionally, the NASCAR teams, drivers, broadcast and fans in the stands remained silent during the 8th lap of the race to further highlight the enormous impact one of the greatest drivers had on the sport and its community. [PUSHING THE LIMIT: Kevin Harvick Reflects On Kyle Busch Relationship] Other tributes throughout the weekend included drivers wearing Kyle Busch gear, sharing their favorite stories and memories and winners bowing with the checkered flag, Busch’s signature victorious gesture. Cars also raced with No. 8 decals and fans wrote messages on the grid before the Coca-Cola 600. The motorsports world also honored Busch throughout the weekend, including at the INDYCAR Indianapolis 500 on Sunday.