INDIANAPOLIS (AP) 鈥� The tributes for started before racing’s biggest day of the year officially began.
At Sunday’s , Dale Coyne Racing changed the font of Romain Grosjean’s No. 18 car to replicate the font the two-time NASCAR Cup Series champion and two-time Brickyard 400 winner used during his 14 seasons with Joe Gibbs Racing in his No. 18 car.
Then came the opening prayer, in which Busch was mentioned by name. And on Lap 18, race officials lit up the scoring pylon next to pit lane with Busch’s name, his birth year and 2026.
Even with the pageantry of Indianapolis’ big IndyCar race, Busch, who had more wins (234) than anyone across NASCAR鈥檚 three national series, was never far from the thoughts of people in the city that dubs itself the 鈥淩acing Capital of the World.鈥� The father of two died Thursday at age 41 from what his family said was .
鈥淚t鈥檚 desperately sad. It鈥檚 also one of those things where you try not to think about it or let it in because you鈥檝e got so much to do, you can鈥檛 let yourself get emotional,鈥� Katherine Legge said Friday after returning to Indianapolis Motor Speedway. 鈥淏ut honestly, racing has lost one of the greatest drivers, in my opinion, of all time. If you look back at the history and just 鈥� he was a legend.鈥�
As Indy held its biggest race of the year, those who knew or competed against Busch raced with a heavy heart.
鈥淗ow can you not be in shock over the situation?鈥� two-time Indy winner Josef Newgarden said Friday. 鈥淚 think it just puts into perspective how fragile life is. You just don鈥檛 know. Makes me think of his kids, to be honest with you. Gosh, I feel terrible about 鈥� I have two sons now. That鈥檚 the thing that breaks my heart.鈥�
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