Emotional Kurt Busch’s NASCAR Recognition Leaves Brother Kyle & UFC Hall of Famer Teary Eyed

Earlier this year, NASCAR fans were drowned in sorrow when Kurt Busch announced his official retirement from the sport. Kyle Busch’s elder brother and the 2004 Cup Series champion had to hang up his boots owing to the severity of the vicious wreck that cut short his career, ending it prematurely.

While the fandom had hopes of seeing the 45-year-old back in action, the horrific Pocono wreck left the driver with serious head trauma that ultimately sent him into retirement. During the NASCAR Award gala in Music City, Tennessee, the community yet again witnessed a heart-aching emotional moment when UFC legend and Busch’s close friend honored him on stage.

UFC legend Kurt Busch pays tribute, sending the Busch brothers through an emotional rollercoaster

The scene was pretty emotional, with fans with heavy hearts watching Kurt Busch climb onto the stage, choking on his own words with a heavy heart as he relayed his appreciation to his “family” who supported him throughout his career. During the NASCAR awards in Tennessee, the veteran was joined by his brother Kyle Busch and his long-time friend Donald “The Cowboy” Cerrone.

While the mood was jolly good with Busch and Cerrone crashing the red carpet session, things became sentimental when the fighter welcomed Busch to the stage, honoring him and comforting the future Hall of Famer amidst his early concussion-induced early retirement.

The fans definitely felt a lump in their throats when Busch walked onto the stage to take a moment and reflect on his career spanning 23 years. He said, “Thank you, my friend. It’s amazing when you have such a family around you all the time but yet you dont take the time to say thank you and reflect on the people that are around you and so thank you NASCAR, and thank you all the team owners that I raced for, thank you all the sponsors, the manufacturers and when you have a family like Monster Energy you go like that, that’s who helped me in my 2nd half of the career and Monster Energy and you feel that family side of things.” 

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While the elder brother, Kurt Busch occupied the center stage, speaking his mind, Kyle Busch sat there, tearing up, contemplating how things could’ve gone if it weren’t for the horrendous crash that left the 23XI Racing driver on the sidelines. Busch summed up his words, thanking everyone who stood by him through thick and thin: “Just want to say thank you to everyone in this room and this whole industry that has supported me for all these years of highs, lows.”

Donal Cerrone’s kind gesture wins the community’s heart as he honors Busch

Seeing one of their favorite drivers holding back his tears is something no fan wants to see, especially after a heart-aching early retirement like Kurt Busch’s. In the off-season void, NASCAR’s award gala turned into an emotional rollercoaster ride, with UFC Hall of Famer Cerrone reaching out to console his friend and thanking him on behalf of the fans.

The 40-year-old, who is also an avid NASCAR enthusiast, reflected on the Busch brothers’ journey into the limelight, battling their way into fame through sheer effort. He said, “Just a couple of blue-collared buddies who came from nothing man, fought hard and made it to the big stage. Kurt Busch and I have similar words and stories you know so I feel very special in my heart to honor him tonight.”

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He added, “It’s tough, man when you went out there and decided to hang it up, I felt you, I understand the feelings when you said I had enough so thank you for the 23 years of you giving it your all and future Hall of Famer, ladies, and gentlemen, I would be honored to welcome Kurt Busch to stage.”