Jimmie Johnson, Danica Patrick, Tony Stewart honor Kyle Busch at Indy 500

The 110th running of the Indianapolis 500 is underway. In the pre-race build-up, there were multiple tributes to Kyle Busch, who passed away on Thursday.

In the pre-race build-up on Fox, the telecast paid a tribute to Busch. Then, Jimmie Johnson joined Danica Patrick and Tony Stewart on the broadcast to discuss the racing legend.

“I was so surprised how many in this paddock paid attention to NASCAR,” Johson started. “To see the love and respect from this garage, this paddock as they call it. The community of motorsport is always impressive.”

While Busch never ran in the Indy 500, he attempted to twice, but sponsorship fell through. Still, Johnson and Busch were teammates early in Busch’s career. Both were with Hendrick Motorsports from 2004 through 2007, where Johnson served as a mentor for the teenage Busch.

“I think what stands out about Kyle is just how much he loved racing. He loved to drive the cars, win the cars, how competitive he was… Now his son Brexton is racing. He wanted to run the Indy 500, and I am sad we never got to see that happen,” added Patrick.

Busch’s son, Brexton, is just 11 years old, but Richard Childress Racing is already holding the number eight for the younger Busch, not using the number until he joins the circuit.

“I was fortunate enough to have him as a teammate as well. And he was a little rough around the edges, but finally someone that came along that was rougher around the edges than I was,” Stewart added. “I think what I am going to miss the most, and what I have really appreciated watching the last couple of years, was the transformation. For him to grow into a family man, a father.”

Much has been made about the early bad-boy image that Busch had, but in recent years, it has softened. Still, he was always fierce on the track and respected.

Remembering Kyle Busch on Indy 500 morning. pic.twitter.com/SIueT0WKin

— INDYCAR on FOX (@IndyCarOnFOX) May 24, 2026

Multiple drivers at the Indy 500 paid tribute to Busch, from changing their font on the cars to lane tags in the pit row. As the race goes on, and NASCAR heads to Charlotte for the Coca-Cola 600 on Sunday night, the tribute for Busch will continue to pour in, as the world of motorsports mourns the loss of a legend.

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