Ty Gibbs will honor the late NASCAR legend Kyle Busch by driving the iconic M&M’s paint scheme on his No. 54 car during the Bass Pro Shops Night Race on September 19 at Bristol Motor Speedway, following Busch’s death at age 41 from sepsis on May 21.
The upcoming tribute connects one of NASCAR’s most celebrated modern drivers with a paint scheme that defined an era of the sport. Samantha Busch, the two-time champion’s wife of more than 15 years, announced the special plans across Instagram and X, highlighting how deeply intertwined her late husband was with the iconic yellow-and-chocolate livery. Kyle Busch passed away at the age of 41 after a battle with severe pneumonia that progressed into sepsis.
Kyle Busch’s Legacy and History at Bristol Motor Speedway
Few tracks captured Kyle Busch’s fierce competitive nature quite like Bristol. Throughout his career, he racked up 22 total victories across NASCAR’s top three national series at the half-mile concrete oval. In the premier Cup Series alone, he secured eight wins and four runner-up finishes across 39 starts.
His dominance at the Tennessee venue included sweeping a national series tripleheader on two separate occasions, in 2010 and 2017. Across his historic career, Busch accumulated 234 victories in NASCAR’s top three national series—the most in the sport’s history—alongside 63 Cup Series wins and championships in 2015 and 2019.
“Bristol wasn’t just another race to him. He loved everything about that place. The intensity, the energy, the fans and the challenge of racing there. Some of the greatest moments of his career happened on that track in the yellow M&M’s car, which became such an iconic part of Kyle’s legacy. It was so much more than a paint scheme. Kyle became the M&M’s guy.”
Samantha Busch
Richard Childress Racing Navigates an Emotional Void
While the racing community prepares for the tribute at Bristol, Richard Childress Racing continues to feel the profound competitive and emotional impact of Busch’s sudden passing. Speaking on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, driver Austin Dillon explained that the organization is leaning into sheer hard work to push through the difficult chapter, drawing a parallel to how the team previously endured the death of Dale Earnhardt in 2001.
“Kyle was a big part of what we’re doing up here and from an experience standpoint, you can’t ever get that back.”
Austin Dillon
Busch brought years of premier series experience and an uncompromising, aggressive approach to the shop floor and the pit wall. Dillon admitted that replacing that presence is impossible, noting that the team has responded by focusing on its work despite the emotional toll.
Austin Hill steps into the No. 33 entry
In the wake of Busch’s death, Richard Childress Racing temporarily parked the No. 8 car that Busch had driven. Austin Hill has since stepped in to take over the No. 33 entry, diving headfirst into simulator work alongside Dillon and Josh Wise to find speed and stability for the organization.
Photo: Bleacherreport
Dillon praised Hill’s dedication as he adapts to the demanding role.
“Austin [Hill] has been a great teammate, and he’s trying his butt off to do everything that he can to make those guys happy and get them excited about going to the track every weekend. So we’re putting in the effort. We’re working.”
M&M’s will sponsor Ty Gibbs at the Bristol Night Race to honor Kyle Busch
Austin Dillon
As the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series season continues, the team remains driven by the competitive ethos that Busch exemplified. Dillon emphasized that honoring his memory means refusing to stagnate and returning to a mindset focused entirely on winning.
“And I think that’s what Kyle would want us to do is to keep pushing. The mentality is, ‘Do whatever it takes to go win.’ And that’s what we’re trying to get back to.”
Austin Dillon
Busch’s legacy also extends to the next generation through his 11-year-old son, Brexton, who is forging his own path in grassroots racing and recently captured the 2025 Golden Driller championship in junior sprints.
Daniel Richardson is the Editor-in-Chief of Archysport, where he leads the editorial team and oversees all published content across nine sport verticals. With over 15 years in sports journalism, Daniel has reported from the FIFA World Cup, the Olympic Games, NFL Super Bowls, NBA Finals, and Grand Slam tennis tournaments. He previously served as Senior Sports Editor at Reuters and holds a Master's degree in Journalism from Columbia University. Recognized by the Sports Journalists' Association for excellence in reporting, Daniel is a member of the International Sports Press Association (AIPS). His editorial philosophy centers on accuracy, depth, and fair coverage — ensuring every story published on Archysport meets the highest standards of sports journalism.
