{"id":862778,"date":"2026-08-18T17:54:09","date_gmt":"2026-08-18T17:54:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/862778\/"},"modified":"2026-08-18T17:54:09","modified_gmt":"2026-08-18T17:54:09","slug":"nascar-declares-kyle-busch-day-in-honor-of-late-champion","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/862778\/","title":{"rendered":"NASCAR Declares ‘Kyle Busch Day’ in Honor of Late Champion"},"content":{"rendered":"

NASCAR<\/a> is honoring the memory of Kyle Busch, who passed away on May 21<\/a>, at the age of 41. Aug. 18 is now “Kyle Busch Day.”<\/p>\n

NASCAR announced the news on Tuesday, Aug. 18. This particular day on the calendar uses the two numbers most closely associated with the multi-time champion.<\/p>\n

August is the eighth month of the year. Busch drove the No. 8 for Richard Childress Racing. Eighteen is the number he used in multiple series. He won both of his Cup Series championships in the No. 18 Joe Gibbs Racing<\/a> Toyota.<\/p>\n

“The date brings together the two numbers most closely associated with Kyle and gives the NASCAR community an opportunity to celebrate Kyle the racer and Kyle the person: a generational talent, the ultimate showman, a devoted family man, and a competitor, owner, and mentor whose influence can be felt throughout today’s garage,” NASCAR said.<\/p>\n

Many memorable moments. One unforgettable driver. <\/p>\n

Today, on 8.18, we celebrate the life and legacy of Kyle Busch. #ForeverRowdy<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/5murPorZqF<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 NASCAR (@NASCAR) August 18, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

This declaration has continued a trend of the industry honoring Busch’s memory. Each race since his sudden passing has featured a tribute on Lap 8. Fans hold up eight fingers in the stands while the video boards or scoring pylons display graphics.<\/p>\n

The implementation of Kyle Busch Day also provided numerous members of the industry with an opportunity to share their favorite memories of the racer. Media members reflected upon their favorite interviews while drivers talked about their battles on the race track.<\/p>\n

I love and miss you KB! #KyleBuschDay<\/a> #ForeverRowdy<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/8dfVYnsDLj<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 AJ Allmendinger (@AJDinger) August 18, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

Chase Briscoe, in particular, highlighted one of his two memorable wins that he secured after a late battle with Busch. This particular win, Darlington in May 2020, followed a heartbreaking moment for his family.<\/p>\n

Briscoe’s wife, Marissa, suffered a miscarriage the Tuesday before the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series race. They lost their daughter, which created questions about whether Briscoe would take part in the race.<\/p>\n

He drove the No. 98 Ford Mustang as planned, despite dealing with near-overwhelming emotions. He then went out and defeated a future Hall of Famer in Busch after a wild back-and-forth in the final laps.<\/p>\n

A race and a day I\u2019ll never forget\u2026 #ForeverRowdy<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/DnVdFFi4L4<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Chase Briscoe (@chasebriscoe) August 18, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

“I just kept making a lot of mistakes on the final lap,” Briscoe said in May 2020<\/a>. “Emotionally, I wasn’t there. Getting into Turn 1, I knew that there was no way he was going to drive in deeper than me. I wasn’t going to let it happen. Kyle was gracious enough to at least leave me a little bit of a lane and it was a heck of a race.<\/p>\n

“This is the number one win. Honestly, winning the Daytona 500 couldn’t even top the feeling of the ups and downs. This is what my family needed and what my wife needed.<\/p>\n

“This has been the hardest week I’ve ever had to deal with. At the initial start, I was all over the place emotionally, and then when I had the lead with 50 to go, I was just making so many mistakes because I was literally crying inside the racecar. There’s nothing else to say other than God is just so glorious.”<\/p>\n