NASCAR CEO Steve O’Donnell paid tribute to Kyle Busch following
Whereas talking to reporters at Charlotte Motor Speedway on Friday, O’Donnell mentioned Busch’s legacy at size, opening up about his feuds with NASCAR brass and calling the late racer a “badass.”
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“This sport is a badass sport,” O’Donnell stated, in response to ESPN. “Kyle Busch is an American badass.”
NASCAR Chief Government Officer Steve O’Donnell addresses the passing of Kyle Busch throughout a press convention at Charlotte Motor Speedway on Could 22, 2026 in Harmony, North Carolina. Getty Photos
Friday marked O’Donnell’s first public feedback since Busch’s dying Thursday, shortly after it was introduced he was hospitalized with a “extreme sickness.”
He was 41 years previous.
“We actually had our battles,” O’Donnell stated. “However I’d give some huge cash to have a number of extra battles.”
O’Donnell additionally recalled a time when Busch pretended to be significantly injured when NASCAR ordered him to the infield care middle after hitting a wall throughout a race in Texas.
“He laid flat out on a pit cart, made enjoyable of us,” O’Donnell stated. “I used to be mad on the time, however I look again and that was rattling humorous, and that was Kyle.”
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O’Donnell added that NASCAR is contemplating including Busch to the record of Corridor of Fame class of 2027 inductees alongside Kevin Harvick, Larry Phillips, and Jeff Burton.
Kyle Busch, driver of the #7 HendrickCars.com Chevrolet, celebrates in victory lane after profitable the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Sequence ECOSAVE 200 at Dover Motor Speedway on Could 15, 2026 in Dover, Delaware. Getty Photos
He additionally declined to reply questions concerning Busch’s potential reason behind dying, citing respect for the racer’s household.
“We’re 24 hours from getting a cellphone name, and out of respect for the household, they usually have requested for privateness, I’m not going to handle something,” O’Donnell stated. “However transparency is one thing that all of us consider in.
“So in due time, I believe that everybody shall be comfy with the place issues stand.”
Regardless of hypothesis about NASCAR canceling the Coca-Cola 600 in wake of Busch’s dying, O’Donnell stated that the league by no means significantly thought-about nixing the race.
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He added that Busch would have wished them to race.
“Kyle Busch would most likely be fairly [upset] if we didn’t race,” O’Donnell stated. “So we’re going to honor his reminiscence and ensure folks know what he was all about.”
