Bubba Wallace Paid Tribute To Kyle Busch At NASCAR Practice Today
Just about everyone in the NASCAR world is hurting over the passing of Kyle Busch this week. Among the active drivers, Bubba Wallace is probably pretty high on the list of guys who were most influenced by Busch growing up.
So before practice for Sunday's race at the Charlotte, the 23XI Racing star went over to the tribute to Busch that had been painted on the grass and sat next to it in somber silence.
It was a lovely tribute to one of the key people in his NASCAR career and one that created a truly stunning image that was captured below.
Wallace and Busch
Wallace took to Instagram on Friday and paid tribute to Kyle Busch in a heartfelt message. He credited Busch with being "a monumental factor" in who he is today.
"My eyes hurt from all the crying, my heart hurts from the pain. Just Sunday, mid race I thought about Kyle Busch and the one of many lessons that he had taught me. ‘Is it loose? Drive thru it and trust it.' Kyle was a monumental factor in who Bubba Wallace is today. I sit here and look at all things around me and all the things I've been able to accomplish..Kyle played a role in every aspect. That's what hurts the most. An icon and a legend that I looked up to…is no longer with us," Wallace wrote.
"Myself along with many other drivers, crew chiefs, mechanics, etc… learned so much from Kyle. His legacy will continue to transcend in this sport for years to come. Honored to have shared the same race track with one of the best to ever do it. Thank you for all you've done for me. I will miss my drafting buddy on the plate races. Rest easy my brother. Love to you and your family!"
Busch ranks among the greatest NASCAR drivers of all-time, let alone the last decade. He ranks among the most prolific racers the sport has ever seen and frequently ranks among the most skilled to ever appear on a racetrack.
More tributes to him are sure to come.
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This story was originally published May 23, 2026 at 9:15 PM.