Busch died at age 41 on Thursday, May 21
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Kyle Busch is being remembered by his racing community.
Various drivers and organizations have paid tribute to the late motorist during the Indianapolis 500 on Sunday, May 24 — three days after Busch's death.
Romain Grosjean is driving a No. 18 car on behalf of Dale Coyne Racing. The number, which Busch is famously associated with, features the same font that Busch used while driving for Joe Gibbs Racing in NASCAR.
The Chip Ganassi Racing team adjusted its pit signs for the race in remembrance of Busch, and during the 18th lap of the race, Busch was honored on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway's scoring pylon.
NASCAR drivers Jimmie Johnson, Danica Patrick and Tony Stewart were among those who remembered Busch on TV.
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Busch was found unresponsive inside a Chevrolet racing simulator in Concord, N.C., and was transported to a hospital in Charlotte on Wednesday, May 20, the Associated Press reported.
The two-time NASCAR Cup Series champion died the following day on Thursday, May 21, from severe pneumonia that progressed into sepsis. He was 41 years old.
Before Busch's death, his family announced that he was hospitalized and would miss two upcoming races. They did not share any further information on his illness, but Busch had been experiencing health problems in recent weeks.
The motorsport figure leaves behind his wife, Samantha Busch, and their two children: son Brexton, 11, and daughter Lennix, 4.
Credit: Tasos Katopodis/Getty
During the 2000s, Busch quickly established himself as one of NASCAR's biggest stars.
His success continued into the 2010s, and he won the NASCAR Cup Series Championship in 2015 and 2019. In 2023, NASCAR included Busch on its list of 75 greatest drivers.
Busch's car number has been retired in the wake of his death. Richard Childress Racing announced that it would suspend use of the No. 8 car, which Busch most recently used, and reserve it for future use by his son.
Busch's final race came in Dover, Del., on Sunday, May 17, for the 2026 NASCAR All-Star Race.
He was set to race in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race at the speedway in Concord, N.C., on May 22 and at the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway on May 24.
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