NASCAR: Brexton Busch Leaves Sweet Message on ‘Kyle Busch Day’

NASCAR will celebrate the two-time Cup Series champion on Aug. 18 with the numerical date (8/18) serving as a tribute to two of his iconic numbers.

Kyle Busch spent most of his Cup Series career driving the No. 18 for Joe Gibbs Racing where he won 56 races and two Cup titles.

Busch joined Richard Childress Racing in 2023 to drive the No. 8 car a number he drove until his tragic death last May. Busch won three Cup races with the organization in 2023.

The NASCAR community is still mourning the loss of one of the sport’s greatest drivers, and tributes to “Rowdy” poured in on social media Tuesday.

Brexton honors dad Kyle: 'I know he is proud of me'

Brexton posted an emotional Instagram post about the good racing memories he had with his dad.

18. My favorite number not only because it's my birthday but because I saw my dad kick everyone's butt in it almost every week growing up. Brexton, a young racer in his own right, wanted to race the No. 18 because it was his favorite number for two major reasons. I used to want to be just like him and when I started racing I chose to race it. “I wanted to be like him, but he wanted me to be better than him,” Brexton said.

“His dad was always there as a mentor during Brexton’s young racing career. And everything “Rowdy” knew about racing a car, he was passing on to his 11-year-old son. “He taught me everything he knows, worked on my cars, spotted for me and even raced against me 8 times while he drove the 8. “He beat me more times than I beat him, but he knew that eventually the score would be in my favor,” Brexton said.

Brexton has continued his racing career since the death of his father. As he continues to race on, Brexton said each victory will be dedicated to the one who taught him all he knows. 8.18 is a reflection of him and what he put in me. “Every race is a race to him,” Brexton said.

Kyle Busch Life Celebration Scheduled for October

A public memorial service is scheduled for later this year to pay tribute to the late Kyle Busch. Friday, October 9 is a celebration of life for the legacy of Kyle Busch at the Charlotte Motor Speedway.

Busch’s public memorial is scheduled to follow the Craftsman Truck Series race at Charlotte Motor Speedway. All fans, members of the motorsports family, friends and loved ones are welcome to pay tribute to the fallen champion.

Kyle Busch, who passed away May 21 after a case of severe pneumonia turned into sepsis, is NASCAR’s all-time winningest driver. He has 234 wins across NASCAR’s top three series, including a record 102 wins in the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series and 69 wins in the Craftsman Truck Series.

Busch’s last NASCAR victory came on May 15 at Dover in the Craftsman Truck Series, just six days before he died.