It's been several days and I still can't find the right words. When I first heard about his passing, I went completely numb. I was still at work when it was announced and ended up having to take a break because I couldn't focus.
Kyle Busch was special. I'll be the first to admit that I was not a fan of him when he came on the scene (which is actually funny, because his brother had been one of my favorite drivers). However, over the years, that changed. He became one of my top drivers. He was out there every week (minus the 87 days he missed when he broke his left foot and fractured his right leg in a crash at the opening of the 2015 Xfinity series...), racing like it was his last race. He wanted to win every time he drove out onto the track. And yes, it's what all drivers want to do. But there was something about Kyle that made you believe he could actually do it week in and week out.
Fans of NASCAR will agree when I tell you that you either loved Kyle Busch or you loved to hate him. We can all certainly agree that he made the sport interesting. He pushed the limits and other drivers have even stated that they became better drivers because of Kyle.
My heart hurts for his wife and kids (Samantha, Brexton, & Lennix), his parents (Tom & Gaye), and his older brother (Kurt).
NASCAR will continue on, but it'll be missing a piece of the heart of the sport. I think Denny Hamlin said it best "we lost our Kobe Bryant".
Thank you, Kyle, for everything you've done for not only the sport, but also for everything you've done in your personal life in your foundations.
Go get that checkered flag in the sky, Rowdy.
