Samantha Busch (née Sarcinella) was brought to tears ahead of a moment of silence at the Indy 500 that honored her late husband, NASCAR driver Kyle Busch.
Clutching the shoulder of son Brexton, Samantha, 39, was overcome with emotion while one of the event’s announcers paid tribute to the Busch family at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Sunday, May 24. “Samantha, I want you to know that this sport stands with you, and that you and your children are NASCAR family forever,” the announcer told the crowd, as seen via a TikTok video posted by Bleacher Report.
Samantha, donning a matching black T-shirt to that worn by Brexton that read “Battle of the Busches,” held her son to her chest and hugged him as fans applauded the words.
“Brexton and Lennix [the couple’s daughter], your dad loves you with all his heart,” the announcer continued. “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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As the crowd applauded again, the teen adjusted his black cap and rubbed his mom’s arm.
“Kyle Busch is NASCAR. He was one of a kind and there will never be another, and I’d ask everybody now to join us in a moment of silence for Kyle,” the announcement continued.
The tribute comes after NASCAR confirmed on Thursday, May 21, that Kyle had died at the age of 41. The announcement came after the athlete reportedly “became unresponsive” while testing in a Chevrolet racing simulator at Charlotte Motor Speedway in Concord, North Carolina, on Wednesday, May 20.
News broke the following day that Kyle had been hospitalized, and the Busch family issued a statement the following day. “Kyle has experienced a severe illness resulting in hospitalization,” the statement read. “He is currently undergoing treatment and will not compete in any of his scheduled activities this weekend at Charlotte Motor Speedway. We ask for understanding and privacy as our family navigates this situation.”
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On Saturday, May 23, a rep for the family confirmed to NBC News that Kyle died of pneumonia that progressed “into sepsis, resulting in rapid and overwhelming associated complications.”
Kyle was also honored during the early stages of Sunday’s Indy 500. “As the drivers exit turn four … on lap 18, we remember Kyle Busch,” an announcer said during the race. The moment was shared via INDYCAR on FOX’s official X account at the time, with the caption, “A tribute to Kyle Busch on Lap 18 of the Indy 500.”
Kyle’s final race was the NASCAR All-Star Race on May 17 at Dover International Speedway. He finished in 17th place. “You never know when the last one is,” he told reporters in the event’s aftermath.
