Kyle Busch's iconic No. 18 will appear in the Indianapolis 500 in tribute to late driver

The 110th Running of the Indianapolis 500 will serve as a memorial to a motorsports legend this Sunday, as Dale Coyne Racing plans to honor the late Kyle Busch with his iconic NASCAR number.

The No. 18 Honda, driven by Romain Grosjean, will feature the classic paint scheme Busch used during his 15-year career in the Cup Series with Joe Gibbs Racing. The number is most famously associated with the two championship seasons Busch secured while running the beloved M&M's designs.

Though Kyle Busch never competed in the IndyCar Series or the Indianapolis 500, he established a strong record of success at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway during his NASCAR tenure. The tribute concept was originally pitched by Fox Sports IndyCar commentator Townsend Bell. Because racing numbers are typically trademarked, Dale Coyne Racing had to coordinate with Joe Gibbs Racing to secure the proper permissions for the homage.

Busch's ties to the famous speedway also extend to his family. His brother, Kurt Busch, a retired NASCAR driver and former Cup Series champion, famously attempted double duty in 2014 by competing in both the Indianapolis 500 and the Coca-Cola 600 on the same day.

As for the podium possibilities on Sunday, Grosjean is set to begin the race in 24th position. While he will have significant ground to make up, the unpredictable nature of the Indianapolis 500 means the historic No. 18 could still find its way into Victory Lane.