“R.I.P. Toby Keith”- Clint Bowyer & Michael Waltrip Join NASCAR World in Mourning a Grave Loss to Country Music Community

Toby Keith was not just a chart-topping country singer. He was a larger-than-life character who knew how to capture the pulse of the crowd. Propelled into stardom with his 1993 hit ‘Should’ve Been a Cowboy’, the iconic star gifted audiences with many memorable tunes in his career, spanning almost three decades.

However, life really did a number on the 2015 Songwriters Hall of Fame inductee as, in the summer of 2022, he revealed about his stomach cancer diagnosis. The life-threatening disease may have taken over his body, but his spirit was not one to be caged. Even two months before his untimely passing, in December 2023, the singer graced the Grand Ole Opry stage in Nashville to remind fans and the industry that his art will always be immortal. After the news of his death earlier this week, fans from all over the world joined hands to remember the legend. The sadness was even felt in the NASCAR world with former SHR driver, Clint Bowyer and Michael Waltrip reaching out to express their condolences.

Toby Keith’s passing leaves behind a void

Keith was one of the most multi-faceted country singers that America has seen. A musician, a singer, and a songwriter, the artist was known for weaving out lyrics that would get under one’s skin. From being a lover who would rather love blindly than lose someone, to being an angry patriotic, Toby Keith knew how to pen down a spectrum of emotions on paper. When he sang, “I’ve never tried to catch you lyin’/ I didn’t want to know the truth/ I’d rather go on lovin’ blind girl/ Than go on lovin’ without you,” perhaps every heartbroken lover could feel it in their bones.

However, February 5 came as a fateful day as news of his death hit social media. “Toby Keith passed peacefully last night on Feb. 5 surrounded by his family, the statement read. “He fought his fight with grace and courage. Please respect the privacy of his family at this time,” an official statement read.

For veterans like Clint Bowyer and Michael Waltrip, Toby Keith’s passing hit hard. Both the icons took to their respective social media profiles to share the heartbreak. Bowyer shared his condolences on X and wrote, “Spent most of the day driving today. Wasn’t on the phone much and just sat there listening to @tobykeith. What an awesome person, talent, and proud American curtesy of the red,white, and blue he was..” 

Bowyer was not the only person who was left in bits. Michael Waltrip also came out with a post reminiscing about a scenario that has taken over his mind and heart. He wrote, “I just shed a tear of joy. Thought of Toby and Dale having a Red Solo Cup toast.” 

The music industry was also in shambles. Popular country musician Jason Aldean paid his respects to the fallen maestro on Instagram and wrote: “Today is a sad day for Country music and its fans, Toby was a huge presence in our business and someone we all looked up to and respected. You and your music will be forever remembered big man.”

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The country singer was not just a man with a guitar. He was also a husband, a father, a grandfather, and a source of inspiration for millions.

Toby Keith: The legend and the lover

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Keith was a legend through and through. With his first ever hit coming in his 30s, Keith’s indomitable spirit in the early years of his life was a classic example  of never giving up. During the height of his career, he received several accolades, including The Academy of Country Music’s Entertainer of the Year award twice, in 2002 and 2003. Apart from that, he was also a recipient of the People’s Choice Country Awards in September, last year.

Talking about his illustrious career in an interview with People.com back then, Keith had said, “Just seeing how enormous the career I amassed over 30 years when they show the video. You know where you were when you wrote all those songs, you hear those numbers and you’re just like, you looked up one day and all of a sudden 30 years went by.”

Toby Keith was also a dedicated family man. Having met his wife Tricia Lucus right out of high school, the pair dated for three years before tying the knot in 1984. With a relationship spanning almost four decades, Lucus was a great cheerleader to him throughout his life and during his cancer treatment. Often referring to his wife as the “best nurse”, the country singer didn’t leave a chance to appreciate her support and strength in the last few years of his life. Apart from his wife, his passing leaves three children and three grandchildren.

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We wish his family strength during this difficult time.