Kyle Busch Honored with No. 18 Tribute at Indianapolis 500

Kyle Busch Indianapolis 500 No. 18 tribute Romain Grosjean Doug Boles

Indianapolis Motor Speedway president Doug Boles praised NASCAR driver Kyle Busch, recalling his impact on the track and his ambition to race the Indy 500, which he never achieved before his death at age 41 from pneumonia that progressed to sepsis.

In a separate tribute, Richard Childress Racing restyled Romain Grosjean’s entry for the 110th Indianapolis 500 with Busch’s iconic No. 18 livery. The tribute was coordinated with Fox Sports and approved by the team, while Joe Gibbs Racing has kept the No. 18 unused since Busch’s departure and Childress Racing paused the use of the No. 8 in his honor.

Both gestures highlight Busch’s lasting legacy in American motorsports and provide a symbolic presence at the event he longed to compete in.