Drivers pay tribute to Kyle Busch at Charlotte Motor Speedway during race weekend

CONCORD, N.C. — This year’s Coca-Cola 600 is taking a more somber tone as drivers and fans paused to remember legendary driver Kyle Busch.

After a number of weather delays that impacted races earlier this weekend, the clouds parted for the Crown Jewel race of NASCAR: a 400 lap marathon.

“Basically, seeing the news, we had to wear Kyle Busch gear this weekend,” said Robby Douglas on Sunday.

There was so much for race fans to mourn at this year’s 67th running of the Coca-Cola 600.

“It was a sad moment, but I think the whole community came together, especially on lap eight when everybody put their hats in the air,” Douglas said.

There was also a lot to honor at this race where military servicemembers and veterans are the VIPs.

Parachutes landed on the infield with a number eight flag, in remembrance of the Cup Series champion who died Thursday from severe pneumonia that turned into sepsis.

“Kyle would have been mad if they didn’t run the race tonight, for sure,” said Douglas.

Charlotte Motor Speedway collectively went silent pre-race for a moment of silence to remember a legend.

“I think that he was definitely holding drivers accountable, holding NASCAR accountable for the cars,” Douglas said. “He would speak his mind all the time.”

ALSO READ: Fans remember late Kyle Busch during Coca-Cola 600

But in the midst of grief, drivers still had to do their jobs this weekend.

Truck Series driver Layne Riggs dedicated his Sunday morning win to Busch with the champion’s signature bow he performed anytime he won a race.

“I hope he’s proud of that performance right there, and he’s taught me a lot of things over the couple of years we have raced together,” Diggs said.

Drivers prepare all week for the deadly dangers they face on the track.

“Where you don’t expect something like that to happen is in the middle of the week,” said Cup Series driver Chase Briscoe.

Though their emotions took a pit stop, it’s clear the drivers were still in a bit of shock.

“Literally, I raced around Kyle less than a week ago and talked to him. Even Wednesday, he was at the stimulator,” Briscoe said. “I think we’re all hardheaded in a sense of we don’t want to go to the doctor, and I’m guilty of that. Literally this December, I had pneumonia. I didn’t go to the doctor for a long time and I finally went, found out I had it. It’s just crazy how fast this stuff can get you, so it’s definitely a wake-up call.”

Before the green flag dropped for the first lap, there was an empty chair with Busch’s name on it in the drivers’ pre-race meeting, and then a missing man formation around the track.