NASCAR tributes usually come from racetracks and victory lanes. This week, though, the recognition came from a very different stage, as Congressman Addison McDowell paid tribute to the late legend from the floor of the United States House of Representatives.

Opening the address, McDowell said, “I rise today to honor the life and legacy of Kyle Busch, a fierce competitor, a legendary race car driver, and most importantly, a great man.”

He continued, “Kyle was a husband to Samantha, a father to two beautiful children, he was a brother, a son, a businessman, a driver, an entertainer, and one of the greatest competitors to ever get behind the wheel of racing cars.”

Busch’s achievements were many, including becoming the first driver in NASCAR history to win a Cup Series championship after missing a massive 11 opening races owing to injury. He was an excellent driver who gave it all, as exemplified by his 2015 Cup Series title just nine months after he suffered a broken right leg and left foot in a crash at Daytona.

McDowell also highlighted Busch’s famous 2015 comeback. He said, “Kyle expected that if he was behind the wheel of a car, he should win. He had every right to believe that because he was that good.”

Busch also stands as one of only two drivers to have ever won Cup Series championships for both Joe Gibbs Racing and Richard Childress Racing. Reflecting on Busch’s achievements, McDowell added,

“If I sat here and listed every checkered flag that Kyle Busch ever won, my time would expire before I could finish. Kyle Busch was a winner.” He further noted, “Kyle won 234 races across the top three series in NASCAR, including 63 wins at the Cup level.”

However, Busch’s impact on America wasn’t just noted around the racetrack, but also felt specifically by many parents across the continent. Let’s take a look at how this played out.

Congressman highlights Busch family's charity legacy alongside racing greatness

On the floor of the House, in his tribute to Busch, Rep. McDowell also highlighted the massive impact of the Busch family through the Bundle of Joy Fund.

Founded by Kyle and Samantha Busch in 2015, following a long, tedious, and painful journey for the couple themselves to have a child, their charity has awarded 178 IVF grants worth nearly $2.4 million and helped bring 111 babies into the world.

The Congressman praised the family's work, stating, “Because of his efforts on the track, he was able to make an impact on countless families and couples' lives by providing support and to let them know that they were not alone.”

Rep. McDowell’s words stand as a direct testimony to how Busch was larger than racing, impacting many, and how his loss will not only be felt by the garage but by millions across America.

You can read more on the Daytona Racing Digest!

Written by

Uday Jakhar

Edited by

Suyashdeep Sason