Indianapolis 500 Legends Remember NASCAR’s Kyle Busch As A Legend

Kyle Busch A Legend At Indianapolis Motor Speedway

The driver known as “Rowdy” is a legend of the Brickyard and on Carb Day at the Indianapolis 500, I was able to get exclusive interviews from some of the greatest legends at Indy.

“No question, he loved coming to Indianapolis and having success here was special to him,” Indianapolis Motor Speedway owner Roger Penske told me. “He was special every place he went. People regarded him as the guy that could win every race. Certainly, he had quite a track record.”

Some of the greatest drivers in Indianapolis 500 history have raced for the Penske, the most successful team owner in auto racing history. From Mark Donohue to Mario Andretti, Bobby Unser to Rick Mears, Al Unser to Helio Castroneves and more recently Josef Newgarden, Will Power, Scott McLaughlin and new to the team this year, David Malukas, the greats of the great have competed at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway for Penske.

Roger Penske’s Tribute To Kyle Busch

Penske also has one of the best NASCAR teams in that series and Busch was a fierce competitor driving for Hendrick Motorsports, Joe Gibbs Racing and Richard Childress Racing.

“He had a place down at Baker’s Bay (in the Bahama’s). I used to call him and ask if I could use the beach out front,” Penske told me. “I had a special relationship with him.

“I can’t believe it. A tough guy. A great racer and someone this sport will miss for many years.”

Tony Kanaan Lasting Admiration of Kyle Busch

Another famed IndyCar Series driver and 2013 Indianapolis 500 winner Tony Kanaan was friends with Busch and raced against him in the SRX Series. He revealed to me in an exclusive interview Friday at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway that he nearly raced for Busch.

“When I left Andretti, I almost signed a deal with Kyle to race his trucks,” Kanaan told me. “I don’t know that there is a lot to say. It’s a huge loss and completely unexpected. It’s one of those things you think about the next day, how short life is.

“He was a Brickyard legend and to be fair, he was a legend of the sport. Knowing Kyle and every race car driver, the best way to honor them is leaving everything we’ve got out here. I know the Captain and the Speedway will do their honors for him.

“Thoughts and prayers are with Samantha (Busch’s widow) and the kids for sure.

Kanaan was considered a fiery, aggressive and competitive racer in his career. He is now the team principal at Arrow McLaren.

Kanaan liked Busch because their personalities were similar.

“Very strong personality,” Kanaan told me. “Kyle spoke his mind. I took him on the two-seater and he said, ‘I want to be driving.’ Spoke his mind, was loved by a lot of people and not loved by a lot of people.

“But he was very authentic.”

Ryan Hunter-Reay’s Stunned Disbelief Of Kyle Busch’s Passing

Ryan Hunter-Reay won the 2012 NTT IndyCar Series Championship and the 2014 Indianapolis 500.

“It’s incomprehensible, really,” Hunter-Reay said of Busch’s death. “It doesn’t feel like reality. I’m not even sure what to think of it, honestly. Great guy, family man, had a good time racing with him in the Race of Champions. Friends with his brother as well. I feel for the Busch family and trying to make sense of it all.

“Absolutely, I think he is one of the greatest drivers in NASCAR as well. I’m not really sure what to make of all this. It’s a very sad day in our racing family.”

Racing Against Kyle Busch Was A Highlight For Helio Castroneves

Castroneves is one of four four-time Indianapolis 500 winners and also enjoyed his time racing against Busch in the SRX Series, which was a six-race summer series created by Tony Stewart and Ray Evernham that featured drivers from different forms of racing at iconic short tracks around the United States.

“We raced SRX and one of my greatest moments was battling with him,” Castroneves told me. “I was shocked. I had no idea what happened. According to the news, everyone was in the same state of mind. Unbelievable. Such an incredible talent. When something like that happens, we’re going to be praying for their family because that is the most important.

“His legacy and his accomplishments, we’re never going to forget.

“We need to understand what happened and take care of it.”

Mario Andretti Believes Kyle Busch Won ‘On All Racing Spectrums’

Mario Andretti is one of the greatest legends in racing history and is beloved at the Indianapolis 500, a race he won in 1969.

Andretti’s legacy is secure. He believes Busch’s legacy will also endure the ages.

“Legacy will be there forever,” Andretti said. “The talent, what he has done in NASCAR, he is one of the Golden Boys of NASCAR, for sure.

“What he has contributed is immense to the sport. A very visible man. Everybody knew Rowdy. He will bring a smile when we talk about him.

“When he was there, he drew a lot of attention, always.

“Not just Indianapolis, he has covered the entire spectrum of this sport. He was pretty unbeatable in Trucks and all that sort of thing. He has some great records in NASCAR (234 wins in the three series).

“We’ll pray for the family.”

Kyle Busch Was ‘Authentic’

On the track, Busch was the winningest racer in NASCAR history with 234 victories including NASCAR Cup Series, O’Reilly Auto Parts and the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series.

He was also tempestuous and embraced the role of the “Bad Guy” in NASCAR.

That’s just the type of racer Penske likes.

“He was real, no question about it,” Penske said. “He told you what he thought and he wouldn’t back down. The kind of guy I like.

“He was a good guy.”

Kyle Busch wore both hats with pride – the Black Hat of the villain and the White Hat as a hero during his life.