How Coca-Cola 600 Winner Daniel Suarez Honored NASCAR Driver Kyle Busch After Death

"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.