NASCAR May 23, 2026 2:57 AM Source: Kickin The Tires

NASCAR CEO Steve O’Donnell: Kyle Busch Defined What It Means to Be a Racer

<p class="wp-block-paragraph">By Jerry Jordan, Editor</p>

<p class="wp-block-paragraph">CONCORD, N.C. — During a press conference on Friday, NASCAR CEO Steve O’Donnell described the late Kyle Busch as a two-time champion, a first-ballot Hall of Famer and the embodiment of a true NASCAR racer whose competitive fire and off-track generosity left an indelible mark on the sport.</p>

<p class="wp-block-paragraph">O’Donnell addressed the shocking death of Busch, who passed away on Thursday from a sudden illness at age 41. According to media reports, Busch first had issues at Watkins Glen two weeks ago and requested medical attention following the race. Then, on Wednesday, he became dizzy, experienced a shortness of breath and began coughing up blood while at the Chevrolet simulator in Concord, according to a 911 call released Friday. Busch was taken from the Chevrolet facility to an area hospital, where doctors administered treatment but inevitably were unable to save his life.</p>

<p class="wp-block-paragraph">While declining to discuss specific health details out of respect for the family’s privacy request, he focused on celebrating Busch’s legacy as the sport prepares for this weekend’s Memorial Day races.</p>

<p class="wp-block-paragraph">“I’ve spent 31 years in this sport and Kyle Busch has been part of my life for 25 years,” O’Donnell said. “Watched him come into the sport as a teenager … full of talent, full of fire, didn’t give a damn, was gonna push us and I think we all love that spirit.”</p>

<p class="wp-block-paragraph">O’Donnell stressed that NASCAR is like a “family reunion every week,” noting that while families don’t always get along, everyone remains part of the same group. He said Busch lived nearly every chapter possible in the sport — from brash young driver to champion, husband, father, team owner and mentor.</p>

<h3 class="wp-block-heading">On-Track Icon, Off-Track Contributor</h3>

<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Busch’s statistics are well-known: a two-time NASCAR Cup Series champion with more national series wins than any driver in history. But O’Donnell highlighted lesser-known aspects of Busch’s character.</p>

<p class="wp-block-paragraph">He recalled Busch’s weekly calls to help then-rookie Daniel Suarez as he adjusted to racing in the United States. Suarez had previously posted on social media about how much the calls of support meant to him during that time.</p>

<p class="wp-block-paragraph">O’Donnell also talked about how Busch founded a successful Truck Series team that launched numerous careers both on the pit box and behind the wheel across all three of NASCAR’s top touring series. Along with his wife, Samantha, the two created the Bundle of Joy Foundation to give IVF support to families facing challenges in having children.</p>

<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Just days before his death, Busch texted O’Donnell suggesting an “over 40 rule” so he could continue competing in Truck Series races next season. O’Donnell said the idea was under serious consideration. He said having Busch in the truck series was good for the sport but he also believed Busch came up with the idea because the driver hoped one day to race against his son, Brexton, in a national series event.</p>

<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Tributes Planned, Focus on Family</h3>

<p class="wp-block-paragraph">O’Donnell said NASCAR has been in close contact with Richard Childress Racing, Busch’s family and drivers regarding appropriate tributes for this weekend. While some details are still being finalized with family approval, he indicated both individual and coordinated honors will take place.</p>

<p class="wp-block-paragraph">When asked by <a href="http://www.kickinthetires.net/">Kickin’ the Tires</a> about his personal reaction to the news, O’Donnell was somber.</p>

<p class="wp-block-paragraph">“Got a call about 9 a.m. yesterday morning … a call you don’t expect,” O’Donnell said. “Things weren’t great. I spent the rest of the day with the people I thought I should be spending it with in the industry and just tried to be there for them.”</p>

<p class="wp-block-paragraph">O’Donnell confirmed that counseling resources are available to drivers, team members, and others in the industry. He also said there was never serious consideration given to postponing this weekend’s races, noting that “Kyle Busch would probably be pretty pissed off if we didn’t race.”</p>

<h3 class="wp-block-heading">A Racer’s Racer</h3>

<p class="wp-block-paragraph">“Kyle Busch to me is an American badass,” O’Donnell said, in response to a question from Matt Weaver of <a href="http://www.motorsport.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Motorsport.com</a>. “We certainly had our battles, right? But I’d give a lot of money to have a few more battles going forward.”</p>

<p class="wp-block-paragraph">O’Donnell added that the sport needs characters like Busch, affectionately called “Rowdy.” He was a driver will to speak his mind and also connect with the fans.</p>

<p class="wp-block-paragraph">O’Donnell closed his remarks by saying the weekly “family reunions” in NASCAR won’t be the same without Busch but the industry will work to continue his legacy and support his Samantha and  Busch’s children, Brexton and Lennix, who “are not just family of a NASCAR legend, they are part of the NASCAR family.”</p>

NASCAR CEO Steve O’Donnell: Kyle Busch Defined What It Means to Be a Racer

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