The Indy 500 held a quiet tribute to Kyle Busch during lap 18, flashing his “1985–2026” image as the crowd fell silent and pit crews stood at attention. Busch passed away Thursday after severe pneumonia progressed into sepsis, and racers and fellow drivers con
The noise of the Indy 500 usually rolls like thunder—but on lap 18 Sunday, it disappeared.
As the field turned out of corner 4 on lap 17 and passed the scoring pylon. a picture of Kyle Busch with “1985–2026” flashed on a screen at the venue. The crowd went subdued at once, the kind of stillness that doesn’t happen for strategy or speed. Pit crew members could be seen standing at attention, eyes trained on the moment.
Lap 18 has long been a spot for tributes at the Indy 500 to Busch, including a nod tied to his former number. It landed in the middle of the race while the sport continued to process the news of his death.
Busch passed away Thursday after a bout with severe pneumonia that progressed into sepsis, according to his family. He won his final race on May 15 in a Truck Series event, and the No. 7 vehicle he used was back in action Sunday—though it didn’t deliver the ending fans were still hoping for.
The wider racing community reflected that same respect before the green flag. His former teammate, Jimmie Johnson, appeared during Fox’s pregame show and discussed the respect Busch had from everyone in the sport. Danica Patrick also reflected on Busch’s love of racing.
That backdrop of remembrance didn’t keep the track from delivering its own moments of danger. Driver Corey Day ended up in a hard crash during lap 47 after he received contact from Gio Ruggiero. The crash looked severe, but Day was able to walk off the track under his own power.
Day later said, “I just hate it for the No. 7 guys. This is exactly what I didn’t want to do today. I just wanted to deliver them a good run. I feel terrible.”
The tribute and the tragedy of the day sit close together for a reason: Busch was supposed to drive in the Coca-Cola 600 this afternoon, and the racing world is still reeling from the shock of his death.
Kyle Busch Indy 500 lap 18 tribute Jimmie Johnson Danica Patrick severe pneumonia sepsis Corey Day Gio Ruggiero Coca-Cola 600 No. 7 truck