Brexton Busch returned to Victory Lane with a tribute to his father less than two months after NASCAR champion Kyle Busch’s sudden death.
The 11-year-old won the restricted micro sprint A-Main at Port City Raceway in Oklahoma on Friday, July 17. Brexton started 14th, survived an opening-lap crash and worked his way through the field in his green No. 18 car.
After taking the checkered flag, he bowed while holding it in Victory Lane, recreating the celebration Kyle regularly performed after NASCAR victories. Brexton later captioned his own photograph from the night, “For my Dad.”
His mother, Samantha Busch, documented the race in a series of Instagram Stories and described it as Brexton’s first victory since Kyle died May 21 at age 41.
Brexton Charged From 14th to Win the A-Main
Brexton competed in several divisions during the event at Port City Raceway. His victory came in the restricted micro sprint class, according to Motorsport. Samantha said Brexton began the A-Main in 14th place. A large crash on the opening lap forced a restart, after which he lined up 12th with most of the field still ahead of him.
“Made his way thru the field,” she wrote while sharing updates from the race. “And he ended up with the WIN!!!!” Brexton reached the front in the No. 18 and held the lead through the finish. Motorsport reported that the win continued the young driver’s development across several forms of junior racing, including micro sprints, Bandoleros, Legends cars and junior late models.
His Victory Bow Honored Kyle
View this post on Instagram
Brexton climbed from his car with the checkered flag and performed his father’s familiar bow in Victory Lane. During another portion of the event, Brexton competed in an outlaw heat using one of his father’s cars. Samantha shared video of the green No. 18 and wrote, “6 to 1 in outlaw heat driving Dad’s car,” according to People.
Kyle’s victory bow has become a recurring part of the tributes paid to him since his death. NASCAR drivers also reproduced the celebration during the Coca-Cola 600 weekend in May, when Samantha, Brexton and daughter Lennix joined the racing community at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
Samantha Was ‘Beyond Proud’ and ‘Beyond Shattered’
View this post on Instagram
“There was a lot of emotions today to say the very least,” Samantha wrote after the Port City victory. She said she was “beyond proud” of Brexton, not only for winning but for everything he was navigating at such a young age.
She was also “beyond shattered Kyle isn’t here to be part of this” and thanked the people who have continued supporting the family. Samantha specifically recognized the drivers who offered Brexton guidance during the event, including micro sprint racer Frank Flud.
Kyle died after severe pneumonia progressed into sepsis, his family said in a statement published by NASCAR. He was a two-time Cup Series champion and the winningest driver across NASCAR’s three national series.