Brexton Busch paid a heartbreaking tribute to his father after his sudden death.

The young racer updated his Instagram profile picture to a photo of himself hugging his dad, Kyle Busch, in a devastating gesture as the family and racing world mourn the two-time Cup Series champion.

Brexton, 11, is a talented driver in his own right, already winning more than 100 competitions. 

Just three days before his shock passing, Busch shared a post celebrating Brexton’s birthday. 

“Happy Birthday Brexton!!! Your mom & I are so proud of who you’re turning out to be! You’re the best kid on & off the track, you amaze us every day,” Busch wrote on Instagram. “Keep doing what you’re doing and there is no limit to what you’ll accomplish! Love you buddy!”

If Brexton is able to one day make it to NASCAR, his dad’s No. 8 will be there waiting for him. 

Busch’s race team, Richard Childress Racing, decided Friday to suspend the use of the legendary driver’s No. 8 until his son is ready to carry it forward.

“Kyle Busch was instrumental in the design of RCR’s stylized No. 8 and it has become synonymous with Kyle and an important symbol for his fans and the NASCAR industry. No one can carry it forward to the level that he did,” the team wrote in a statement posted to social media Friday. 

Busch passed away on Thursday after becoming unresponsive while using a racing simulator at General Motors Charlotte Technical Center in Concord, N.C.

Dispatch audio obtained by the California Post revealed that Busch was coughing up blood while lying on the bathroom floor.

He was set to compete in the Coca-Cola 600 this weekend before the illness, and his last professional victory occurred last Friday in the 2026 Ecosave 200 as part of the Craftsman Truck Series.