As NASCAR prepared to drop the green flag on one of its crown jewel races Sunday, it paid tribute to driving great Kyle Busch, who died suddenly and unexpectedly Thursday at 41 years old.

Busch, a two-time NASCAR Cup series champion, was hospitalized on Wednesday after he became unresponsive while training in Charlotte for Sunday’s Coca-Cola 600. His family announced early Thursday that he was withdrawing from the race due to “severe illness.”

It was announced later Thursday that Busch had died. Busch’s family revealed on Saturday that he had developed severe pneumonia that progressed into sepsis, a condition in which the body overreacts to an infection that can lead to organ failure.

On Sunday, Busch’s family was at Charlotte Motor Speedway and took part in a pre-race tribute in the infield led by NASCAR CEO Steve O’Donnell.

‘He competed like he had something to prove’

Busch’s parents, Tom and Gaye Busch, stood alongside his brother, Kurt, a retired former NASCAR Cup series champion who won 34 races, including the 2010 Coca-Cola 600.

“No one ever feels fully prepared to speak at a moment like this, and I think we can all agree this was Kyle Busch’s home,” O’Donnell said. “Every race track was Kyle Busch’s home.

“He competed like he had something to prove every single race, when in reality, he had already proven everything. What I think what we’ll miss most isn’t the wins. It’s the guy who quietly wanted to help a teammate or give some advice. It was the husband, the father or the guy who quietly did things for others when no one was watching. “

O’Donnell then addressed Busch’s widow, Samantha and their two young children, Brexton and Lennix, who were alongside him.

“Samantha, I want you to know that this sport stands with you and that you and your children are NASCAR family forever,” O’Donnell continued. “And Brexton and Lennix, you’re dad loved you with all his heart.

“Everyone gathered here, everyone behind you, everybody watching on TV and all those people up in that grandstand are your family. And we’ve got you.

“Kyle Busch is NASCAR. He was one of a kind. And there will never be another.”

The 95,000-plus fans at soldout CMS then took a moment of silence before three bagpipers played “Amazing Grace.”

Kyle Busch tributes carry on to race track

After the pre-race ceremonies, drivers took the field with No. 8 decals on their cars in honor of Busch and his No. 8 car that he drove for Richard Childress Racing. RCR announced previously that it is retiring No. 8 until and unless Brexton, 11, advances to NASCAR.

They took the track with the missing man formation on their pre-race pace laps, leaving the pole position open in honor of Busch.

When the race went into the eighth lap, the Amazon Prime broadcast went silent, and fans in the stands around the track held up eight fingers.

Daniel Suárez wins: ‘This one is for Kyle’

Daniel Suárez, who was mentored by Busch, won the race. He paid tribute to Busch after the Coca-Cola 600 win while wearing a No. 8 hat.

“This one really means a lot,” he said in his post-race interview. “I’ve been saying every year, this is my favorite race of the year …

“It’s been a very tough week. Kyle, he was special, man. This one is for Kyle — for Kyle, for Samantha, for Brexton, for Lennix, for all his family.

“Every win is special. But definitely this one has a special flavor because of Kyle. This one is for him. If it wasn’t for Kyle, I wasn’t gonna be an Xfinity champion, I wasn’t going to have my shot in the Cup Series. And to be able to win this race for him is unbelievable.”

Busch was NASCAR’s all-time winner across the sport’s top three series with 234 victories combined in the Cup, Xfinity and Craftsman Truck Series. He’s ninth all time with 63 Cup Series wins and was a Cup Series champion in 2015 and 2019.