Barnes mourns Kyle Busch, praises NASCAR’s Charlotte tribute
Barnes mourns Kyle Busch, praises NASCAR's Charlotte tribute
Tennessee men’s basketball coach Rick Barnes said he was left in disbelief by the death of NASCAR driver Kyle Busch, who passed away last week at age 41 after complications from pneumonia progressed into sepsis. Barnes, who grew up attending races in Hickory, North Carolina, described following the story closely and struggling to reconcile Busch’s age with the severity of his condition.
Speaking to OutKick, Barnes said the pre-race ceremony at the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway on May 24, 2026, provided a measure of comfort. The tribute, which included remarks from NASCAR CEO Steve O’Donnell alongside Busch’s wife Samantha and their two children, featured a performance of “Amazing Grace” with active Cup Series drivers standing behind the family on the grid. Barnes specifically noted Busch’s son Brexton and the prospect that Busch had hoped one day to race alongside him.
Busch, a two-time NASCAR Cup Series champion, was 41 years old at the time of his death. The sport has received tributes from across professional athletics in the days since the news broke. Barnes cited NASCAR’s consistent tradition of honoring its history as central to why the Charlotte ceremony resonated broadly.
No further memorial events have been announced, but the NASCAR Cup Series season continues, and the Busch family has not yet issued public comment on plans going forward, according to available reports.
