Ryan Blaney called Kyle Busch’s death at 41 a terrible loss while speaking with Kay Adams ahead of the Anduril 250 at Naval Base Coronado on Father's Day. He said the sport feels different without Busch at the track every single week.
Up and Adams Show
Blaney said Busch died after a short but rapid diagnosis of pneumonia that progressed into sepsis. He described him as one of the greatest competitors the sport has ever seen, a larger-than-life personality, and a really funny, humorous, good human being.
That loss carries extra weight because Busch was not just another rival. Blaney said he had watched him and wanted to be like him, then added that it had been surreal not seeing him at the race track every single week since he started racing.
NASCAR One Big Family
Blaney also drew a line between the rivalry on track and the response off it. He said NASCAR competitors and teams are still one big family, and when something happens, the right response is to show support and have each other’s backs.
He said the sport has already done that around Busch’s family, including Samantha Busch and their two children, Brexton and Lennix, as she tries to come to terms with the sudden loss. The family now carries the shock of that absence while race week carries on around it.
Fans In Kyle Busch Shirts
Support has not stayed inside the garage. Blaney said the last few weeks have brought visible tributes from fans wearing Kyle Busch shirts and hats, and he urged them to keep doing it.
He said, “I appreciate the fans for supporting Kyle as much as they have, and I hope they continue to do that.” He also said Busch will never be forgotten, and the open question now is how NASCAR teams and fans will honor him beyond what they have already shown in the stands and along pit road.
