Eleven-year-old Brexton Busch climbed behind the wheel of his late father Kyle Busch’s No. 8 Chevrolet in front of thousands at Charlotte Motor Speedway. 

Throughout his career, Busch achieved the most wins by a single driver with 234 across the sport’s top 3 series. Busch also won two Cup Series titles and 63 wins in the sport’s premier series, the 10th most ever in the over 75-year history of the sport, according to NASCAR’s website. 

On Oct. 9, Charlotte Motor Speedway hosted over 10,000 fans who came together to remember the racer who passed away suddenly May 21, following a brief battle with pneumonia that turned into sepsis. Busch was 41 years old, and his death came six days after his 234th NASCAR victory.

Busch, as NASCAR stated in the public announcement of his death, was known as the ultimate competitor, and he was nicknamed “Rowdy” after Michael Rooker’s character in the film Days of Thunder. Friday's memorial focused on the impact he left on the NASCAR community. 

Jack Mars attended the memorial and reflected on what Busch meant to him and the sport he loves. 

“He was so good for the sport. He helped to make my love for racing and so many other people,” Mars said.  

Another fan, Dylan Padgett, said he was proud to support Busch’s character on and off the track. 

“He showed me what grit and determination really meant,” Padgett said. “A driver and personal life, too, because I’ve met him in person, and he's a completely different person.”

Off the track, Busch was married to Samantha Busch, and they had two children, 11-year-old son Brexton and their 4-year-old daughter, Lennix.

Kyle and Samantha started the Buddle of Joy Foundation in 2015. According to the foundation's website, they are dedicated to helping families afford IVF care. The foundation has given away over two million dollars in grants, which has led to the births of 111 children.

Self-proclaimed superfan Gavin Ottarski said he met Busch over 30 times at NASCAR events. 

“Off the racetrack, he was a family man. He's a forever dad, you know? It’s mind-blowing to me watching his son now and just how much he reminds me of him,” Ottarski said. 

During the event, Brexton gave an emotional tribute to his father inside the car he drove just days before his death. 

NASCAR driver Austin Dillon gave a speech during the memorial. 

“Trophies collect dust. Records are meant to be broken. But what you leave behind is your family and your love,” Dillon said during his speech. “And he’s got an amazing family to leave a legacy forever for him.”