In a weekend full of touching tributes to late NASCAR star Kyle Busch, who died last week hours after being admitted to hospital, one small moment stood out the most.
During a remembrance ceremony before Sunday’s Coca-Cola 600, Busch’s family – wife Samantha and their two children, son Brexton and daughter Lennix – were gathered near the track at the Charlotte Motor Speedway before a moment of silence.
But as 11-year-old Brexton stood beside Samantha, who was hugging another woman, he received some consolation of his own.
Owen Larson, the eldest son of NASCAR driver Kyle Larson, walked up to Brexton from the crowd and put his arm around his grieving friend in a heartwarming moment.
Busch’s son was seen flashing a quick smile before rubbing Larson’s back as others came over to offer their condolences.
It might have been a small moment, but it did not go unnoticed on social media.
“Kyle Larson, you raised one hell of a kid,” one user wrote on X.
“Deep respect for Owen, his mama bear, and all the wives stepping up to show support for one of their own,” another user wrote.
“Friends can heal pain but no one can take it away,” a third person replied.
“Kyle Larson’s son consoling Kyle Busch’s son today … It’s enough to make a grown man cry,” wrote the Bussin’ With The Boys podcast’s account.
How did Kyle Busch die?
Busch died on Thursday at age 41 after being hospitalized with a “severe illness.”
In a statement released on Saturday, Busch’s family said the medical evaluation provided to them concluded that “severe pneumonia had progressed into sepsis, resulting in rapid and overwhelming associated complications.”
“The (Busch) Family asks for continued understanding and privacy during this difficult time,” the statement concluded.
Busch scheduled to compete prior to death
Busch was scheduled to compete in Sunday’s Coca-Cola 600 race at the Charlotte Motor Speedway in Charlotte, N.C. His family and the Richard Childress Racing team announced the driver had withdrawn from the event after being hospitalized on Thursday.
“Kyle has experienced a severe illness resulting in hospitalization,” the family wrote at the time. “He is currently undergoing treatment and will not compete in any of his scheduled activities this weekend at Charlotte Motor Speedway. We ask for understanding and privacy as our family navigates this situation.”
A day before his death, Busch became unresponsive while testing a racing simulator in Concord, N.C., and his health reportedly been declining leading up to his sudden death.
Kyle Busch’s career highlights
Nicknamed “Rowdy,” Busch began his career in NASCAR Cup Series career with Hendrick Motorsports before joining Joe Gibbs Racing in 2008, where he spent most of his career. In 2023, he switched to Richard Childress Racing.
Busch won the Cup Series championship in 2015 and 2019, and ranks ninth all-time in NASCAR Cup Series wins with 63. He also holds the record for most wins across NASCAR’s three national series with 234.
— With files from Eddie Chau