‘It’s crazy that he’s not here’ | NASCAR fans in High Point mourn Kyle Busch during Coca-Cola 600
· Yahoo Sports
NASCAR fans gathered in High Point on Sunday night to watch cars speed around the track during the Coca-Cola 600.
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But this year’s race carried a much different feeling.
For many fans, it was the first major NASCAR event since the death of two-time Cup Series champion Kyle Busch at just 41-years-old.
Just one week earlier, Busch celebrated in victory lane after winning a race. Now, fans across the country, especially in North Carolina, mourned the loss of one of NASCAR’s most recognizable drivers.
“I mean the guy won last week… it’s just crazy that he’s not here, you know?” NASCAR fan Mike Cook said.
Cook said Busch’s impact on racing stretched far beyond his wins and championships.
“He’s one of the... probably one of the most naturally gifted drivers ever,” Cook said.
While NASCAR fans nationwide grieved Busch’s death, many said the loss felt especially personal in North Carolina, where the sport’s roots run deep.
“The Petty’s are from Level Cross, you’ve got RCR down in Welcome, you know, Lake Norman is where all they live anyway and Charlotte’s pretty much a home base for all of the NASCAR teams,” Cook said.
Fans gathered to watch the race together while reflecting on Busch’s career and how perceptions of him changed over time.
Joe Mussallem, another NASCAR fan in High Point, said Busch became more appreciated later in his career.
“He was a villain when he started in the 5 Hendrick’s and now, he became more beloved later in his career,” Mussallem said.
Still, many fans said the loss went beyond racing.
“To be 41 and a father and a husband, it’s just horrible,” Cook said.
“At 41-years-old, it’s too early for anyone to die,” Mussallem said.
For many fans watching Sunday night’s race, the focus was not only on who crossed the finish line first but on the driver who was not there.