Kyle Busch is gone, but NASCAR is making damn sure nobody forgets what he meant to the sport.
The latest tribute might be the coolest one yet.
Kyle Larson is set to bring a throwback Kyle Busch-inspired look to Las Vegas, paying tribute to one of the most recognizable drivers of his generation at Busch’s hometown track.
And that is not where the tributes stop.
Ty Gibbs will also carry Busch’s legacy at Bristol.
Gibbs is set to drive the No. 54 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota in an M&M’s scheme honoring Busch, who died in May. NASCAR and Mars confirmed the tribute earlier this summer.
Think about that for a second.
Busch spent years turning the M&M’s colors into one of the most recognizable cars in NASCAR.
Now another Gibbs driver gets to carry those colors around Bristol.
There is almost no better track for it.
Busch won eight Cup races at Bristol. He also completed two weekend sweeps there, cementing himself as one of the track’s defining drivers.
Then there is Las Vegas.
That was home.
Busch grew up in the Las Vegas area and became synonymous with his hometown track. Larson will now bring a piece of Busch’s Hendrick era back to the facility.
That makes this more than a couple of cool paint schemes.
It is a reminder of just how much Busch left behind.
He was polarizing.
He was aggressive.
He was unbelievably talented.
And he was almost impossible to ignore.
Love him or hate him, NASCAR was more interesting when Kyle Busch showed up.
Now the sport is giving fans a chance to see pieces of him on the track again.
Larson at Las Vegas.
Gibbs at Bristol.
The No. 5.
The M&M’s.
Two tracks that meant so much to Busch.
This is how you honor a NASCAR legend.
Put the paint on the cars.
Fire up the engines.
And let the fans remember exactly why Kyle Busch mattered so damn much.