CONCORD, N.C. — For the past day, we’ve struggled to accept the sudden death of two-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Kyle Busch.
Busch died Thursday after having a sudden illness the previous day. Busch was only 41 years old and left his wife Samantha and children Brexton and Lennix.
Through a lifetime as a race fan and a 35-year career writing about motorsports this writer has experienced death in nearly every manner imaginable. As a result, I believe when it’s your time, it’s your time, and life (and death) is not fair.
J.D. McDuffie was killed at Watkins Glen in one of the first races I covered after joining SPEED SPORT in 1991. Along the way, we lost many in our sport, some in tragic racing accidents, others to auto and airplane crashes, some to cancer and others (the lucky ones) to old age.
Four were more difficult than others. Dale Earnhardt was larger than the sport itself, Greg Hodnett was a friend, Bryan Clauson was a thrill to watch and Dan Wheldon had two young children and he’d won the Indy 500 earlier in 2011.
The sudden loss of Busch certainly ranks with that foursome, and may be even more heartbreaking, and is certainly very different since the 234-time NASCAR winner did not perish inside a race car.
Since learning of Busch’s death around 6 p.m. last night (May 21), I have read thousands of statements and reactions from fans, celebrities and Busch’s peers.
For me, it was Ryan Newman, who was one of Busch’s fiercest competitors for many years, who hit the nail on the head.
“Kyle Busch made a name for himself in many ways. Some people liked him, some not so much,” Newman said candidly on social media. “I am very sad for his family and friends. He was a leader on and off the track. His work with Samantha and their foundation was admirable. What I admired him for the most was simple, he was a proud dad. He gave his kids everything they needed to succeed. Exactly what a great dad should do. I pray for them the most.”
And that last part, is maybe why I am so sad today.
Busch was one of the most talented racers we’ve had the honor to witness, but he was also brash, grumpy and sometimes a complete pain in the ass. That said, he was a different person when with his family, specifically Brexton and Lennix.
Kyle Busch was a great racer, he was a better dad. The look in his eye when he was with them, the pride he showed in them and the patience he showed was far different than that of Kyle Busch the race car driver.
It’s heartbreaking that Brexton and Lennix will have to grow up without their dad. The silver lining is that the motorsports community will have their backs, there is no doubt about that.
Every checkered flag that waves on this Memorial Day weekend, we’ll think of Rowdy Busch and his signature race-winning bow. (Many will probably imitate it in his honor.) And, we’ll think about Samantha, Brexton and Lennix.
God Speed Kyle Busch.
