Brexton Busch, the 11-year-old son of late NASCAR driver Kyle Busch, returned to the racetrack on Tuesday, June 2, just hours after his father’s private memorial service.
Brexton was spotted preparing for the Cook Out Summer Shootout at the Charlotte Motor Speedway in North Carolina, the same venue where his dad was supposed to compete in the Coca Cola 600 before his untimely death.
Kyle died at age 41 on May 21, the day after being hospitalized with what his family characterized as a “severe illness.” In a death certificate exclusively obtained by Us Weekly, it was determined that Kyle suffered from pneumonia that progressed into sepsis, leading to complications that eventually caused his death.
The Charlotte Motor Speedway posted photos via X of competitors at a shakedown ahead of next week’s race. Included among them was a shot of Brexton’s green No. 18 car, prompting an outpouring of support in the replies.
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“Wow I can’t believe he’s there,” one fan wrote. “Strong young man.”
Another added, “LET’S GO BREX!!!! We all love you and we’ve got your back bud!!! Go be great and kick butt! Be blessed young man 🙏❤️.”
Kyle was remembered at a private memorial on Tuesday with a public celebration of life planned to take place in Charlotte at a later date, according to motorsports reporter Bob Pockrass.
“Today, we paid tribute to a friend,” NASCAR Cup Series spotter Eddie D’Hondt wrote after the memorial via X alongside four photos of Kyle. “All our best 🫶 to Sam, Brexton, Lennix & family. May God put his hand on them all and bring them some sort of peace. KFB – Food, Fun, Faith, Fashionista, but most of all 👉“Family” See you on the other side Champ. Rest easy ❤️🏁.”
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It is not clear if Brexton was in attendance at the service.
Kyle was also honored at the Coca Cola 600 the Sunday after his death, with Brexton, his sister Lennix, 4, and mother Samantha in attendance.
“Brexton and Lennix, your dad loves you with all his heart,” the raceway’s PA announcer said during the ceremony. “Everyone gathered here, everyone behind you, everybody watching on TV, and all those people up in that grandstand are your family, and we’ve got you.”
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Richard Childress Racing, Kyle’s former team, also announced the day after he died that it would retire his No. 8 and keep it on ice for Brexton should he go pro and wish to use it.
“Richard Childress Racing has elected to suspend use of the No. 8 and will run the No. 33 at Charlotte Motor Speedway and beyond,” the team’s statement read. “Kyle Busch was instrumental in the design of RCR’s stylized No. 8 and it has become synonymous with Kyle and an important symbol for his fans and the NASCAR industry. No one can carry it forward to the level that he did. The No. 8 is reserved and ready for Brexton Busch when he is ready to go NASCAR racing.”
