Richard Childress spoke out for the primary time following his NASCAR driver Kyle Busch’s shocking death at age 41.
“Kyle will go down in history as one in all the best race drivers that’s ever been,” Childress, 80, told reporters on the Michigan International Speedway on Saturday, June 6, per the Associated Press. “His legacy is that he was a person that loads of people thought he was tough to take care of, and that he wouldn’t last long. He’s a person that loves his sport.”
Busch spent the ultimate three seasons of his profession racing within the NASCAR Cup Series for Richard Childress Racing (RCR). On May 20, Busch became unresponsive in Concord, North Carolina, while preparing for that weekend’s competition and was hospitalized.
NASCAR confirmed hours afterward May 21 that the driving force had died at age 41. (A death certificate obtained by Us Weekly confirmed that Busch suffered a “chain of events” in his final days, as bacterial pneumonia progressed into sepsis and intravascular coagulation, or small clots. By the point Busch died, he’d developed hemorrhagic shock as a consequence of blood loss.)
At Saturday’s press conference, Childress likened Busch’s death to that of NASCAR icon Dale Earnhardt Sr., who was killed at age 49 in a February 2001 crash. (Earnhardt spent 18 seasons on the RCR team.)
“You lose two of the best drivers that’s ever driven a automobile in NASCAR and to should undergo it again,” Childress told the media. “I just feel so bad for the family and the staff and everybody. But yeah, I mean, I haven’t slept superb currently.”
He reflected on his final phone call with Kyle the night before his hospitalization, revealing that he’d planned to supply the driving force a contract extension.
Childress also said that he desired to help Kyle guide the amateur racing profession of his 11-year-old son Brexton Busch in hopes of the boy turning pro someday. (Richard Childress Racing announced on May 22 that it’s going to retire Kyle’s No. 8 automobile unless Brexton chooses to race professionally some day.)
Kyle Busch and Richard Childress. James Gilbert/Getty Images
“Talking to Kyle at different times, knowing his plans and what he had in the longer term for Brexton and his family,” Childress said. “The numerous things that all of us could have done together, that was probably the hardest a part of this whole thing.”
Earlier this week, Kyle’s wife Samantha Busch — with whom he shared Brexton and daughter Lennix, 4 — paid tribute to her late husband’s legacy in her first statement since his death.
“As a family, we desired to take a moment to say thanks,” Samantha, 40, wrote via Instagram on Friday, June 5. “The prayers, messages, flowers, meals, hugs, and countless acts of kindness have carried us through probably the most heartbreaking days of our lives. While our hearts are absolutely shattered, we have now felt God’s presence and arms wrapped tightly around us through every one in all you.”
She wrote, “The love that has surrounded our family during this unimaginable time has brought comfort in the midst of a lot pain. Knowing the impact Kyle had on others and seeing how they’re honoring him through each unique act of generosity is a real testament to how special Kyle is to so many individuals. There are moments when the burden of this loss feels unimaginable to hold, yet time and time again God, through you all, has shown us we will not be alone.”