Father’s Day is usually a celebration of family and togetherness. But for Kyle Busch’s widow, Samantha Busch, it carried a much deeper emotional weight. In light of Father’s Day, she penned a heartfelt message for her late husband.

The two-time NASCAR champion was a doting father to his children, 11-year-old son Brexton and 4-year-old daughter Lennix. Busch was often seen coaching Brexton through his Late Model racing and was also seen with both Brexton and Lennix celebrating in the victory lane.

Remembering Busch on Father’s Day, Samantha shared a heartwarming video with clips of their family and notable moments they shared on and off the track. The caption to her post read:

"This still doesn’t feel real at all. I was up all night thinking about what today should have looked like for Kyle and the kids. The Father’s Day cards that were already made, sitting in a drawer with no one to give them to. Trying to figure out how to navigate a day that should be filled with so much joy for them." 

Elaborating on how much Busch loved to spend time and play with their children when away from the track, she further wrote:

"He was the dad who never missed a chance to be silly, race the kids around the neighborhood, wrap them in his arms, or stay up a little longer for one more book, one more question, one more moment."

"Kyle, the kids and I miss you every second of every day. Our hearts ache for you, but it’s more than that. Your absence is something we physically feel. Our bodies hurt from missing you, from reaching for someone who isn’t there, from loving someone we can’t hold anymore," Samantha added.

"Rowdy," as he came to be known among fans, passed away on May 21, just hours after being hospitalized for a "severe illness." In a statement later released by the family, it was revealed to be pneumonia that progressed into sepsis.

While Samantha Busch's message highlights the unparalleled impact Kyle Busch had on others in his personal life, the impact he left professionally earned him high recognition from the U.S. Senate.

Kyle Busch’s contribution to NASCAR earns him an honor in the U.S. Senate

A few NASCAR drivers have left a legacy quite like Kyle Busch did. After years of success and defining the modern era of the sport, "Rowdy" was honored by the U.S Senate last week.

On Thursday, a Bipartisan resolution led by Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), Ted Budd (R-N.C.), and Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) was passed. An excerpt from the resolution read:

"Busch earned the respect of both opposing drivers and fans through his commitment to providing thrilling entertainment to NASCAR crowds with his performative driving style.

"He embraced his role as a champion driver and devoted father, proudly mentored and coached his son, Brexton, who began his own journey in motorsports, and helped to foster the passion for racing in the next generation."

Kyle Busch was one of the most successful drivers, with 234 wins across all three NASCAR divisions. He had 63 Cup wins, 69 truck wins, and 102 O’Reilly wins.

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Written by

Chionia Libania Colaco

Edited by

Yash Kotak