- Actor Brendan Fraser waived a green flag as honorary starter for the Indianapolis 500 Sunday on an emotional race day as fans and fellow drivers mourned racing legend Kyle Busch.
- Busch, a father of two, died Thursday at age 41 due to severe pneumonia that progressed into sepsis. The Indianapolis 500, a premier motorsport event, became a platform for widespread tributes to Busch, who held the record for 234 victories across NASCAR ’s three national series.
- Dale Coyne Racing honored Busch by modifying the font on Romain Grosjean's No. 18 car to mirror the distinctive style Busch used during his 14 seasons with Joe Gibbs Racing.
- Further tributes at the event included Busch’s name being mentioned during the opening prayer and, on Lap 18, officials illuminating the scoring pylon with his name, birth year, and the number 2026.
- Fellow racers Katherine Legge and two-time Indy winner Josef Newgarden expressed deep shock and sorrow, emphasizing the immense loss of one of racing's greatest drivers and reflecting on the fragility of life.
IN FULL
Emotional tributes paid to Kyle Busch before and during the Indianapolis 500
