R. ShAwN BaRtCzAk - #D4L

Samantha Busch accepts the 2026 NASCAR NMPA Most Popular Driver Award on behalf of her late husband Kyle Busch. Samantha says: First of all, I'd like to say congrats to Kyle and Katelyn on your championship, and thank you guys so much for everything that you've done for our family. There's been so much love for Kyle from this sport over the past several months, and I wish more than anything that he could be here to see it. He gave so much of his life to racing, and I know it would mean the world to him to see the impact he had on NASCAR and the people who loved it. Kyle never changed who he was to make people like him. He was passionate, outspoken and fiercely competitive. He was Rowdy through and through. Whether you cheered for him or knew him, he gave you something to make noise about, and he loved that. To Kyle, that passion was what made this sport so special. Seeing that same passion bring everyone together to honor him has been incredible. I especially want to thank Chase Elliott and all the drivers who encouraged their fans to vote for him. That respect from the drivers he raced against means so much. And to the fans, I wish you knew just how much he meant to him. He loved packed grandstands, meeting families and seeing kids light up when he signed an autograph. He knew you spent your hard-earned money and time watching him race and he never took that for granted. He loved racing, and he loved that you did too. What makes this award extra special to me is what it gives to Brexton and Lennix. They miss their dad in ways that I can't even begin to explain. And through this, they get to see another side of the dad that they love so much: How he made people feel, how much he meant to others, and just how special he really was. And as their mom, that means everything to me. Thank you for this incredible honor and for continuing to show Kyle so much love. There was no Rowdy without the fans, and there will never be another Rowdy because there is truly no one else but Kyle. Thank you.