How Ty Gibbs is honoring NASCAR legend Kyle Busch with M&M's car at Bristol originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here. It's been an emotional season throughout NASCAR after the sudden death of Kyle Busch in May, with tributes continuing for the racing legend. When the Cup Series heads to Bristol Motor Speedway for the Bass Pro Shops Night Race in September, Busch's friend Ty Gibbs will deliver one of the best tributes yet. Busch's wife, Samantha, said Thursday that Bristol was "one of Kyle's favorite tracks," adding that "going back without him will be heartbreaking." Here's what you need to know about how Gibbs will honor Busch at Bristol. MORE:Complete NASCAR Cup Series schedule for 2026 How Ty Gibbs is honoring Kyle Busch Samantha Busch announced that Gibbs will race in the iconic M&M's-themed car that became synonymous with her husband. "I'm so grateful to be able to tell you that those iconic M&M'S colors will be coming back to Bristol, one last time, on the 54 car," Samantha said on social media. "It's a chance to honor him at a place he loved so much, surrounded by our NASCAR family and the fans who loved him too. I know Kyle would want us to be there, to keep showing up, keep racing, and keep carrying his legacy forward."
Bristol was always one of Kyle’s favorite tracks. He loved racing under the lights, found so much success there, and the iconic M&M’S car holds some of the best memories of his career and our life together. Going back without him will be heartbreaking. He should be there. But… pic.twitter.com/gNfIa4UeEg — Samantha Busch (@SamanthaBusch) August 13, 2026 The 23-year-old Gibbs was 18 years younger than Busch, but he is the grandson of Hall of Fame NFL coach Joe Gibbs, whose Joe Gibbs Racing team Busch raced under for 15 years. Busch and the Gibbs family have long had a close relationship, which makes Ty's tribute that much more meaningful. Busch's M&M's-sponsored car became one of the most recognizable designs in racing for its colorful hood and yellow paint job until the brand's partnership with Joe Gibbs Racing ended at the end of the 2022 season; Busch would leave the team as well. Here's more to know about Busch's history in the M&M's car. Kyle Busch M&M's car history Mars Inc., which owns M&M's, had a sponsorship deal with Joe Gibbs Racing for the entire 15-year duration of Busch's time with the team. That created an iconic look for Busch, who raced in the colorful M&M's-themed car and became synonymous with the brand. When Mars announced its partnership with Joe Gibbs Racing would end at the end of the 2022 season, Busch paid tribute, saying he had "eternal" appreciation.
My appreciation for the entire Mars family is eternal. With 55 wins & 2 Cup titles together, we’ve built friendships that will last way past 2022. The Mars family has always accepted me for who I am and I’ll always be thankful for that. Here’s to many more trips to VL in ‘22! pic.twitter.com/GrWvU86E3V — Kyle Busch (@KyleBusch) December 20, 2021 Busch would leave Joe Gibbs Racing as well after the 2022 season, so the end of his time in the M&M's car marked the start of a completely new era for his career. What happened to Kyle Busch? Busch died on May 21 after severe pneumonia progressed into fatal sepsis. Busch, who had experienced sinus symptoms and a cough in the two weeks leading up to his death, became unresponsive while in a racing simulator in Concord, North Carolina, on May 20. He was rushed to a hospital after having difficulty breathing and coughing up blood, the 911 call revealed. After Busch's family announced he was dealing with a "severe illness" on May 21, the shocking news came down later the same day that the two-time Cup Series champion had died. Busch's death sparked massive amounts of tributes and reactions from the racing world and beyond. Gibbs, who was undoubtedly hit hard by the news, will deliver a remarkable tribute in September.