Matt Johnson
The NASCAR community is still mourning the loss of Kyle Busch ahead of this weekend’s race at Charlotte Motor Speedway. While individual drivers and teams have their own ways to pay their respects to a legend, Joe Gibbs Racing will also honor its former driver.
In a press conference on Saturday, Joe Gibbs announced that all JGR cars will have “Rowdy” on the nameplates above the door.
Related: Brad Keselowski Plans to Honor Kyle Busch
Gibbs took the time to share some of his favorite stories about Busch and noted that JGR will “work in concert” with Richard Childress Racing to pay tribute to the all-time great.
One of the stories shared involved a recent moment. Gibbs recounted that Busch called him back in April after Ty Gibbs won his first Cup Series race at Bristol Motor Speedway. It was an unexpected call for the JGR team owner but meant a lot to him and the entire Gibbs family.
Related: Richard Childress Racing Reveals Plans for Busch’s No. 8 Car
Saturday has already proven to be an emotional day for all involved with NASCAR. When RCR unloaded the No. 33 car that will be driven by Austin Hill, drivers and crew members watched in somber silence.
It’s a safe bet that whoever wins the Coca-Cola 600 on Sunday will find a unique way to pay their respects to Busch. It would be even more meaningful if it were a driver like Denny Hamlin, as a victory would pull him within one win of tying Kyle Busch among the NASCAR Cup Series all-time wins leaders.
Regardless of who makes it to Victory Lane, every team and driver will find some way to honor Busch this weekend. Likewise, the Indianapolis 500 will pay tribute to him on the 18th lap of Sunday’s race. It all speaks to how much Busch meant to the racing world.
Related: NASCAR Drivers Pay Their Respects to Kyle Busch
