Erik Jones paid homage to the late Kyle Busch in honor of August 18 being “Kyle Busch Day,” a tribute to the numerical date (8/18) matching the late NASCAR champion’s car numbers.
Jones formerly drove for Kyle Busch Motorsports in the Craftsman Truck Series and notably won the series title in 2015 behind the wheel of the No. 4 truck. The Michigan native was later Cup Series teammates with Busch at Joe Gibbs Racing from 2018-2020.
Nearly three months after Busch’s tragic passing on May 21, Jones is still coming to grips with the fact that his mentor is no longer on the racetrack.
Erik Jones pays respects to Kyle Busch: ‘Forever Rowdy’
Jones honored Busch on Tuesday via X, posting pictures from the night he celebrated winning the 2015 Truck Series title driving a truck owned by the late champion.
The driver of the No. 43 opened up about how Busch took a chance on him by placing him in one of his trucks and how he made him a better driver.
“8.18. Forever Rowdy. There isn’t a weekend that goes by that I don’t miss seeing him at the track. Kyle took a chance on me, putting me in one of his Trucks over 13 years ago and pushed me to be better every day since. A generational talent, the ultimate showman, and a friend I’ll never forget. Celebrating the racer and the man today. Miss you, brother. #ForeverRowdy.”
When Jones moved up to the Cup Series full-time in 2017, he became competitors with Busch. The two notably finished 1-2 in the 2017 Bristol Night Race, which saw Busch complete the weekend sweep at the 0.5-mile track for the second time.
NASCAR encouraging fans to share greatest Kyle Busch moments
In honor of “Kyle Busch Day,” NASCAR’s social media team has dedicated a website for fans to share their fondest memories of “Rowdy.” The website gives fans the opportunity to share photos and videos to help honor the life and legacy of one of the sport’s fiercest competitors.
“Rowdy Nation, we want you to share your favorite Kyle Busch memories. From fierce competition to family, help us showcase Kyle’s lasting impact on the sport,” NASCAR wrote via X.
It has been nearly three months since the tragic and sudden passing of Kyle Busch, who died on May 21 after a severe case of pneumonia progressed into sepsis. The loss was a gut punch to the NASCAR community and the sports world as a whole.
Busch was the winningest overall driver in NASCAR history, accumulating 234 wins across the sport’s top three series. His 63 Cup Series wins rank 10th on NASCAR’s all-time wins list. “Rowdy” also won two Cup Series championships, one of only 18 drivers to win multiple Cup titles.