It doesn’t take long to spot a Kyle Busch fan at Daytona International Speedway.
In fact, drive under the tunnel and into the infield, and a “Rowdy Forever” banner is the first thing that greets you. It’s not the only one. Not even close.
They’re everywhere this weekend. Of course, that’s expected.
This is the first NASCAR Cup Series race at Daytona since Busch’s stunning death in May. The Coke Zero Sugar 400 is set to close the regular season later tonight — a little over three months since the sport lost its modern day Dale Earnhardt.
For better and for worse, those two will forever be attached at the hip.
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Kyle Busch, driver of the No. 18 M&M’s Toyota, stands on the grid during qualifying for the NASCAR Cup Series 62nd Annual Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fla., on Feb. 9, 2020. (Getty Images)
Busch’s death in May was the first major NASCAR death for an active driver since Earnhardt died on the final turn of the 2001 Daytona 500.
For decades, Daytona gave Dale fits. He could win all the races, except the race.
Busch won just once at Daytona during his two decades in a Cup car, and never won a 500. It was the crown jewel he never got.
Lord knows he tried. Came close a couple times, too. Earlier this year, Busch grabbed his first Daytona 500 pole. He led 19 laps, but he fizzled late.
No, Kyle never loved Daytona the way Dale Earnhardt did. But he appreciated it. He respected it.
Signs for Kyle Busch at Daytona. (Zach Dean/ OutKick)
During February’s 500, he led the third lap of the race, which was dedicated to Dale Earnhardt on what was the 25th anniversary of his death.
“Led lap 3 for Dale plus a few more today,” he posted days after the race. “Made it to the end, just not in the right spot.”
Now, the series returns for the first time since his death — and for the first time without an Earnhardt or a Busch in the field since 1978.
Kyle Busch, Dale Earnhardt and Daytona
Yep. That’s right. Saturday night’s race will be the first Cup race at Daytona without an Earnhardt or a Busch in the field in 48 years. February 19, 1978.
For those who don’t remember, Bobby Allison won that Daytona 500. Earnhardt would make his first Daytona start months later in the Firecracker 400.
Incredible. Forty-eight years. Nearly five decades!
Dale Earnhardt checks out the view from the newly completed Earnhardt Grandstand during winter testing at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fla., two weeks before the Daytona 500. (Getty Images)
So, yes, this sport has Earnhardt and Busch in its blood. Dale died in the ’01 Daytona 500, which was Kurt Busch’s first race. Kyle came into the series five years later as a rookie with Hendrick Motorsports.
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He’d go on to win 63 Cup races over the next two decades, including a pair of championships. He had 234 wins across all three NASCAR national series.
Busch won one Coca-Cola 600, two Southern 500s, and three Indianapolis 500 victories. He won once official race at Daytona, but did win a couple duels and the one Busch Clash on the road course back in 2021.
But Kyle never scored that elusive 500.
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Kyle Busch, driver of the #8 Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen Chevrolet, waves to fans as he walks onstage during driver introductions before the NASCAR Cup Series Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fla., on Aug. 24, 2024. (Getty Images)
“Yeah, it’s a box we got to check,” he said earlier this year. “Here we are. This is an opportunity to be able to do that. I’ve come down here a lot of years.”
Daytona was never great to Kyle. It wasn’t his favorite place to race. He didn’t have the best luck.
But coming back here this weekend, it’s clear this place misses him.
And like Dale, he’s still everywhere you look.
