When the track learned of Kyle Busch’s sudden death Thursday, they held a moment of silence for the two-time NASCAR champion and his family.
“It hit really hard, and you could tell just the atmosphere in the race track was very, very low,” one fan said. “Nobody really knew what to do.”
The track confirmed to Channel 9 that Busch and his son, Brexton, were supposed to race each other there Thursday night. Hours before Busch’s death, his son was in Hickory for a practice session.
The Hickory Motor Speedway is more than 70 years old. Fans say Busch has raced at the track several times over the years and even practiced with his son there within the last week.
Pete Nasse met him in the pits.
“He was a racer. That’s what he said,” Pete Nasse said. “Raced three times a week and on the weekend — trucks, infinity, NASCAR.”
Jeff Nasse’s son raced at the Hickory Motor Speedway Thursday night and on other short tracks against Kyle Busch several times.
“He liked to come back where he started out and not only for the fans, but the other racers,” Jeff Nasse said. “We enjoyed racing against Kyle because you’d step up your level if he was there.”
The track is offering its condolences and prayers to Kyle Busch and his family.