How Coca-Cola 600 Winner Daniel Suarez Honored NASCAR Driver Kyle Busch After Death
Daniel Suarez is keeping Kyle Busch's memory alive.
Three days after Busch pulled out of the Coca-Cola 600—just hours before his death at age 41—the race's winner dedicated his milestone to his mentor.
"This one really means a lot," Daniel—who built his bond with Busch in 2015—said in a May 24 post-race interview with NASCAR. "It's been a very tough week. Kyle, he was special, man."
The victory was emotional for the 34-year-old, who spotlighted Busch's wife Samantha Busch and kids Brexton, 11, and Lennix, 4, while reflecting on his win.
"This one is for Kyle—for Kyle, for Samantha, for Brexton, for Lennix, for all his family," he said. "Every win is special. But definitely, this one has a special flavor because of Kyle. This one is for him."
When Suarez began his journey as a race car driver in 2015, Busch became a major supporter of the young athlete. The pair would go on to call one another every week that season.
"I remember, in the second half of the year, I just kept asking him," Suarez told reporters May 23 at the Charlotte Motor Speedway, per The Charlotte Observer. "I was a sponge. I wanted as much information as possible."
"When I started getting good, and we started racing together, he said, 'I think you're getting too good. I think I need to stop helping you,'" he continued. "But he always continued to help me. So to me that was very impactful."
Busch died May 21, hours after he had been hospitalized with a "severe illness," which his family confirmed in a statement, per NBC News, was "severe pneumonia" that "progressed into sepsis, resulting in rapid and overwhelming associated complications."
This win is for Kyle. pic.twitter.com/1pcAKDpOvp
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) May 25, 2026
More details about his death also came to light, including the driver—who is one of the most decorated drivers in the sport's history—passing out while testing the Chevrolet racing simulator a day before his death, as several people familiar with the situation told the Associated Press.
The NASCAR world has continued highlighting Busch's legacy, with the Indy 500 also honoring the star.
"A future Hall of Famer, Kyle was a rare talent, one who comes along once in a generation," NASCAR shared in a joint statement with the Busch family after his death. "He was fierce, he was passionate, he was immensely skilled and he cared deeply about the sport and fans."
"NASCAR lost a giant of the sport today, far too soon," the statement added. "During this incredibly difficult time, we ask everyone to respect the family's privacy and continue to keep them in your thoughts and prayers."
For a closer look at Busch's life on and off the racetrack, keep reading.
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A Partner at His Side
Kyle Busch had his loved ones by his side for all of life's most important moments before his death on May 21 at the age of 41. The NASCAR driver and wife Samantha Busch were parents to son Brexton, born in 2015, and daugther Lennix, born in 2022.
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Victory for The Family
Kyle was joined by Samantha, Brexton and Lennix on Victory Lane after winning the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Fr8 Racing 208 at Echo Park Speedway in February 2026.
Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images
Girl Dad
Kyle shared a tender moment with his youngest at the NASCAR Cup Series Food City Dirt Race in 2023.
Ethan Miller/Getty Images
Football Fam
Kyle, Samantha and Brexton hit the stadium to catch a game between the Las Vegas Raiders and the Denver Broncos.
Family of Four
The quartet had recently enjoyed a snowy family vacation.
Jason Lowrie/Utopia Select/Shutterstock
Sweet Moments
Kyle and Samantha always made sure Brexton was with them for all of their important celebrations.
Chris Graythen/Getty Images
From the race track in Texas to his home in Las Vegas, Kyle loved making memories with his Samantha and their son Brexton.
"My forever valentine," Samantha wrote on Instagram when celebrating the romantic holiday. "Thank you for always making me laugh and live life to the fullest. I love you!"
"Congrats Brexton on a great season at @millbridgespeedway," Samantha wrote on Instagram in honor of her son's racing milestone. "We are so proud of you!!! You have grown and improved so much this season to winning your first Saturday Night Series Championship! We can't wait to see what you do this year!"
Samantha and Kyle opted for cute matching leather jackets.
Racing around a track is cool, but so was finding the perfect pumpkin. "The most perfect pumpkins in the patch @samanthabusch @brextonbusch," Kyle wrote at Instagram. "Fun times at the @bundleofjoyfund play date."
The couple enjoyed a getaway to Las Vegas, with Kyle posting on Instagram, "I hit the jackpot w u @samanthabusch."
Ethan Miller/Getty Images
Baby Brexton
A newborn Brexton joined his mom and dad on stage at the 2015 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Awards.
Life wasn't all work and no play for Kyle. In fact, he loved vacations with his family.
Kyle and his family celebrate one of his many NASCAR wins with a trip Disney World.
"Hey pretty baby w the high heels on," Kyle wrote on Instagram when enjoying a romantic evening at La Belle Helene Restaurant in Charlotte, N.C.
Chris Graythen/Getty Images
Family Affair
When Kyle won the NASCAR Xfinity Series Pit Boss 250 in May 2021, his wife Samantha and son Brexton took a trip down victory lane in Austin, Texas to celebrate the driver.
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