IndyCar drivers’ tribute to Kyle Busch on Lap 18 of the Indy 500

The Racing World Unites: Indianapolis Honors Late NASCAR Legend “Rowdy” Busch

There wasn’t a dry eye in the house at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Sunday afternoon. While the 110th running of the Indianapolis 500 promised high-speed drama and open-wheel intensity, the atmosphere shifted into profound reverence on Lap 18. In a rare cross-disciplinary display of respect, the entire IndyCar community paused to pay tribute to NASCAR legend Kyle Busch, who tragically passed away on Thursday, May 21, 2026, at the age of 41.

As the field crossed the yard of bricks to begin the 18th lap, the iconic scoring pylon at IMS lit up with Busch’s name, his birth year, and his passing date. Concurrently, the broadcast and the track side screens fell into a moment of salute to honor one of the most prolific stock-car drivers in modern history.

The Story Behind the Lap 18 Salute

The choice of Lap 18 was anything but random. For 15 years, Busch dominated NASCAR behind the wheel of the iconic No. 18 Joe Gibbs Racing car, capturing both of his Cup Series championships (2015, 2019) and securing 56 of his 63 premier-series victories.

Though Busch spent his career primarily in stock cars, his connection to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway ran deep. He conquered the Brickyard 400 in back-to-back years (2015 and 2016) and frequently expressed a burning desire to attempt the historic “Double”—racing the Indy 500 and the Coca-Cola 600 on the exact same day. His sudden passing from severe pneumonia that progressed into sepsis shocked the motorsports landscape, prompting an immediate outpouring of support across open-wheel and stock-car divisions alike.

Romain Grosjean’s Special No. 18 Tribute

The Lap 18 tribute was only part of the weekend’s emotional narrative. Dale Coyne Racing transformed the No. 18 Honda driven by ex-Formula 1 star Romain Grosjean. With permission from Joe Gibbs Racing, the team restyled Grosjean’s car number font to perfectly match the exact styling Busch drove during his legendary NASCAR tenure.

The idea, originally sparked by FOX Sports commentator Townsend Bell, came together in under 48 hours to ensure a piece of Kyle Busch’s unfulfilled open-wheel dream was out on the track.

“He was an extreme racer, one of the best you’d ever see on track,” two-time Indy 500 winner Josef Newgarden stated. “The toughest part about it is just what he leaves behind with his family.”

As the green flag dropped, the presence of that stylized number 18 served as a stark reminder of a generational talent gone too soon. The tribute continues into Sunday evening at Charlotte Motor Speedway, where NASCAR drivers will honor “Rowdy” during the Coca-Cola 600.

Live Stream & Broadcast Schedule

Below is the live tracking archive for the 110th Running of the Indianapolis 500. You can expand and add specific video replays or stream logs below.