Kyle Busch remembered by IndyCar drivers at Indy 500 Carb Day practice
IndyCar drivers remembered Kyle Busch's impact on them the day after his death at 41
INDIANAPOLIS -- NASCAR driver Kyle Busch was a key figure in Kyle Kirkwood wanting a career in motorsports. At the second race Kirkwood attended, Busch signed his hat. "That was the first professional racer I think I met from all forms of motorsports," Kirkwood said at a news conference following the Indy 500's Carb Day practice Friday.
"I got that signature and still have the hat to this day with my trophies. I remember that moment turned me on to racing. One of those, I'm never going to wash my hand again, (moments).
"I was probably 7 years old and fell in love with motorsports after that. In a way, he turned me on to motor racing and to move on from karting. " Busch died at 41 on Thursday.
A cause of death has not been announced. Busch, a two-time NASCAR Cup Series champion, was set to continue his Cup season and the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series at Charlotte Motor Speedway this weekend until his family announced he was hospitalized with a severe illness on Thursday morning . He died a day after being taken to the hospital with trouble breathing and coughing up blood .