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Kyle Busch remembered by IndyCar drivers at Indy 500 Carb Day practice

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INDIANAPOLIS — NASCAR driver Kyle Busch was a key figure in Kyle Kirkwood wanting a career in motorsports.

At the second race Kirkwood attended, Busch signed his hat.

“That was the first professional racer I think I met from all forms of motorsports,” Kirkwood said at a news conference following the Indy 500’s Carb Day practice Friday. “I got that signature and still have the hat to this day with my trophies. I remember that moment turned me on to racing. One of those, I’m never going to wash my hand again, (moments).

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“I was probably 7 years old and fell in love with motorsports after that. In a way, he turned me on to motor racing and to move on from karting.”

Busch died at 41 on Thursday. A cause of death has not been announced. Busch, a two-time NASCAR Cup Series champion, was set to continue his Cup season and the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series at Charlotte Motor Speedway this weekend until his family announced he was hospitalized with a severe illness on Thursday morning. He died a day after being taken to the hospital with trouble breathing and coughing up blood.

Busch, who was driving for Richard Childress Racing in Cup races and Spire Motorsports in truck races, won 63 Cup races and 69 truck races in his career. He was a two-time Cup champion in 2015 and 2019. Busch won the Brickyard 400 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in 2015 and 2016.

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Relish these photos of Oscar Mayer Wienermobiles on the Indy 500 track at IMS

Mark and Karen Schultz ride around on miniature Wienermobiles Friday, May 22, 2026, on Carb Day ahead of the 110th running of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

(Michael Johnson/For IndyStar)

Katherine Legge is attempting The Double this weekend, running in the Indianapolis 500 and Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway on Sunday. She debuted in the NASCAR Cup Series last year and praised Busch and his wife for their kindness.

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“He and Samantha were two of the nicest welcoming me to the series,” Legge said. “A lot of drivers don’t even say hi but they gave me help and advice. It’s desperately sad.

“Racing has lost one of the greatest racers of all time. He was a legend and I think there’s a lot of shock regarding it because he was so young and so healthy. It bangs home the fact that life is so unfair.”

Numerous IndyCar drivers have reacted to Busch’s death with tributes to his skills but Josef Newgarden’s first thoughts were of Busch’s children, Brexton and Lennix.

“I have two sons now, that’s the thing that breaks my heart,” Newgarden said. “He was an extreme racer (but) the toughest part is what he leaves. I didn’t know Kyle very well but how can it not break your heart when you think about his kids?

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“It’s a sad day for motorsports. We lost one of the best. But my feelings are toward his family.”

Zion Brown is IndyStar’s motorsports reporter. Follow him at @z10nbr0wn. Get IndyStar’s motor sports coverage sent directly to your inbox with our Motor Sports newsletter. Subscribe to the YouTube channel IndyStar TV: IndyCar for a behind-the-scenes look at IndyCar and expert analysis.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Kyle Busch death: NASCAR driver remembered at Indy 500 Carb Day practice

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