Kurt Busch will race at the 2026 Historic Sportscar Racing NASCAR Classic at Circuit de la Sarthe near Le Mans, France, on July 2-5 with a tribute to his late brother Kyle Busch.
What’s happening?
Kurt Busch will drive his 2020 Chevrolet Camaro with the No. 8 on its side at the HSR NASCAR Classic. The car, from his private collection, was the same one he used to win at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in September 2020. He had originally planned to race the No. 1 but switched to honor Kyle’s legacy.
Why this matters for Kurt Busch
The No. 8 was Kyle Busch’s number during his NASCAR career. Kurt’s decision to use it at Le Mans shows how deeply the loss still affects him. The family has already paid tribute to Kyle in other ways, including placing eight flowers on the infield logo at the Coca-Cola 600 just three days after his death on May 21.
What the tribute means
Kyle’s death came after pneumonia progressed into sepsis, which led to fatal complications. Kurt has spoken about the emotional weight of the moment. He called the Le Mans opportunity a dream come true earlier this spring. “Having this opportunity to race at Le Mans is a dream come true,” Busch said. “There are only a few places in the world with the allure, prestige and pageantry of a motorsport venue like Le Mans.”
What comes next?
The HSR NASCAR Classic runs from July 2-5 at Circuit de la Sarthe. Kurt’s car will carry the No. 8 for the entire event. The tribute adds a layer of meaning to what was already a bucket-list race for the two-time Daytona 500 winner.