The NASCAR community will be feeling the devastating loss of Kyle Busch for years to come, with one of the all-time greats in racing taken far too soon. As the 2026 Cup Series moves on, there could be some great opportunities for NASCAR to honor Busch both this year and beyond.
Here are a few ways that NASCAR can honor Kyle Busch’s legacy.
Name BMS Cup Series Trophy, Sword after Kyle Busch
Kyle Busch practically owned Bristol Motor Speedway. He doesn’t just have the most Cup Series wins among active drivers at Bristol (nine); he has more than twice as many as the next-closest active competitor, Denny Hamlin, who has four. It would only be fitting for the BMS Cup Series trophy to be named after Busch. Future winners could hoist The Kyle Busch Trophy and the Rowdy Sword, celebrating with a bow just like Busch did so many times throughout his legendary career.
Related: Joe Gibbs Racing Drivers to Honor Kyle Busch on Cars
Unanimously Induct Kyle Busch into NASCAR Hall of Fame
There will be plenty of debate regarding whether Kyle Busch should be inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame without a waiting period or if there should be a small wait before he’s welcomed into racing immortality. Regardless of when it happens, there is a way voters can honor him. Because the NASCAR Hall of Fame is still relatively new, having opened in 2010, there has never been a driver unanimously inducted. Regardless of a driver’s resume, no voter wanted to set the precedent of someone getting in unanimously. Why not make Busch the lone exception? With the all-time record for national series wins (234) never going to be touched, NASCAR has a golden opportunity to make Busch the first and only unanimous inductee into the Hall of Fame.
Related: NASCAR Drivers Pay Their Respects to Kyle Busch
Name Kyle Busch The Most Popular Driver in ’26
This will take collaboration with NASCAR fans, but that makes it an even better way to honor Rowdy. Chase Elliott, following in the footsteps of his father’s historic choice to step aside from the voting, can withdraw his name from consideration and encourage all his fans to vote for Kyle Busch as the NASCAR Most Popular Driver in 2026. It’s not a major championship award, but it would be a nice final tribute to Busch and add one more honor to his incredible resume.
Related: Chase Elliott to Honor Kyle Busch in Special Way
Create the Kyle Busch Rule
In a somber press conference on Friday, NASCAR CEO Steve O’Donnell shared some of his personal memories of Kyle Busch. He also shared one of the final exchanges he had with Rowdy. Busch suggested a rule change allowing full-time Cup Series drivers who are 40-plus years old to race in every Truck Series race. It’s something NASCAR should embrace. The “Kyle Busch rule” would aid the development of young drivers in the lower series, giving them more experience racing against Cup veterans. It would also presumably give a slight boost to TV ratings.
Related: Steve O’Donnell Addresses if Kyle Busch Will Be Added to 2027 NASCAR Hall of Fame
Invest More in Development of Young Drivers
Kyle Busch cared deeply about the future of NASCAR. He also played a massive role in shaping what it looks like today. John Hunter Nemechek, William Byron, Corey Heim, Bubba Wallace, Christopher Bell, Erik Jones, Riley Herbst, Todd Gilliland, and Noah Gragson all received mentorship from Busch and raced for Kyle Busch Motorsports. NASCAR needs to embrace the care Busch showed for drivers of the future. That means investing more in the lower series, creating better opportunities so young, talented racers can make regular starts rather than just having seats given out to drivers who have the deepest pockets or best sponsors. Honor Busch’s legacy by ensuring that the future of racing is bright.
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