Kyle Busch’s wife and his two children were on hand on Sunday for the Coca-Cola 600 in an emotional scene as NASCAR honored the late driver just days after his shocking death earlier in the week.

The two-time Cup Series winner and future Hall of Fame driver died on Thursday at the age of 41 from severe pneumonia, sending shockwaves through NASCAR and tragically leaving behind wife Samantha, 11-year-old Brexton and 4-year-old Lennix.

Ahead of Sunday’s race at Charlotte Motor Speedway, the three, along with Busch’s brother, Kurt, and parents Tom and Gaye, joined the NASCAR community for a pre-race ceremony to honor Busch.

NASCAR CEO Steve O’Donnell led the track in a moment of silence and “Amazing Grace” was played on bagpipes.

Broadcast cameras caught an emotional Samantha and Brexton being overcome by emotions while the bagpipes played.

Moments later, she was seen being handed Lennix, who wrapped her arms tightly around her mother as they rejoined Brexton.

“What I think we’ll miss most isn’t the wins. It’s the guy who quietly wanted to help a teammate or give some advice,” O’Donnell said before the moment of silence. “It was the husband, the father, or the guy who quietly did things for others when no one was watching. And to the Busch family – Tom, Gaye, Kurt, all the folks at RCR and JGR, we are certainly thinking about you.

“Samantha, I want you to know that this sport stands with you. And you and your children are NASCAR family forever. And Brexton and Lennix, your dad loved you with all his heart. Everyone gathered here, everyone behind, you, everyone watching on TV and all those people up in that grandstand are your family, and we’ve got you.”

O’Donnell ended the address by describing Busch as “one of a kind” and saying that “there will never be another” person like him.

The tribute ahead of the Coca-Cola 600 was one of several for Busch over the Memorial Day Weekend.

During the Indy 500, the scoring pylon at Indianapolis Motor Speedway was lit up with a picture of Busch, his name and the years of his life during lap 18.

There had also been a moment of silence for Busch during the NASCAR Truck Series event on Friday and one during the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series race on Saturday.

Busch had been found unresponsive while testing a racing simulator in North Carolina the day before he died.

A medical evaluation following his death on Thursday revealed that “severe pneumonia had progressed into sepsis, resulting in rapid and overwhelming associated complications.”

Source: nypost

Kyle Busch’s wife and his two children were on hand on Sunday for the Coca-Cola 600 in an emotional scene as NASCAR honored the late driver just days after his shocking death earlier in the week.

The two-time Cup Series winner and future Hall of Fame driver died on Thursday at the age of 41 from severe pneumonia, sending shockwaves through NASCAR and tragically leaving behind wife Samantha, 11-year-old Brexton and 4-year-old Lennix.

Ahead of Sunday’s race at Charlotte Motor Speedway, the three, along with Busch’s brother, Kurt, and parents Tom and Gaye, joined the NASCAR community for a pre-race ceremony to honor Busch.

NASCAR CEO Steve O’Donnell led the track in a moment of silence and “Amazing Grace” was played on bagpipes.

Broadcast cameras caught an emotional Samantha and Brexton being overcome by emotions while the bagpipes played.

Moments later, she was seen being handed Lennix, who wrapped her arms tightly around her mother as they rejoined Brexton.

“What I think we’ll miss most isn’t the wins. It’s the guy who quietly wanted to help a teammate or give some advice,” O’Donnell said before the moment of silence. “It was the husband, the father, or the guy who quietly did things for others when no one was watching. And to the Busch family – Tom, Gaye, Kurt, all the folks at RCR and JGR, we are certainly thinking about you.

“Samantha, I want you to know that this sport stands with you. And you and your children are NASCAR family forever. And Brexton and Lennix, your dad loved you with all his heart. Everyone gathered here, everyone behind, you, everyone watching on TV and all those people up in that grandstand are your family, and we’ve got you.”

O’Donnell ended the address by describing Busch as “one of a kind” and saying that “there will never be another” person like him.

The tribute ahead of the Coca-Cola 600 was one of several for Busch over the Memorial Day Weekend.

During the Indy 500, the scoring pylon at Indianapolis Motor Speedway was lit up with a picture of Busch, his name and the years of his life during lap 18.

There had also been a moment of silence for Busch during the NASCAR Truck Series event on Friday and one during the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series race on Saturday.

Busch had been found unresponsive while testing a racing simulator in North Carolina the day before he died.

A medical evaluation following his death on Thursday revealed that “severe pneumonia had progressed into sepsis, resulting in rapid and overwhelming associated complications.”

Source: nypost