Kyle Busch's wife shares heartbreaking Father's Day tribute one month after his death: 'Doesn’t feel real'
Samantha Busch honors late husband Kyle on first Father’s Day after his passing
By Staff Writer
June 18, 2026
Samantha Busch marked the first Father’s Day without her husband, NASCAR star Kyle Busch, with an emotional social media tribute that reflected on his love for their children and the pain of his absence.
Kyle Busch died on May 21 at age 41 after a battle with severe pneumonia that progressed into sepsis. The loss sent shockwaves through the racing community, prompting an outpouring of condolences and remembrances for one of the sport’s most decorated drivers.
On Sunday, Samantha posted a series of photos and videos showing the family’s happiest moments alongside a heartfelt caption written from herself and the couple’s two children, 11‑year‑old son Brexton and four‑year‑old daughter Lennix.
“This still doesn’t feel real at all,” she wrote. “I was up all night thinking about what today should have looked like for Kyle and the kids. The Father’s Day cards that were already made, sitting in a drawer with no one to give them to. Trying to figure out how to navigate a day that should be filled with so much joy for them.”
The post recounted Kyle’s approach to fatherhood, describing how he “never missed a chance to be silly” and often stayed up a little longer to read an extra bedtime story or simply spend more time with his children.
“Nothing made him prouder than being Brexton and Lennix’s dad,” Samantha added.
In the caption, she promised to keep his memory alive by sharing his countless stories with their children, ensuring they would always know how deeply their father loved them.
“Watching these memories hurts more than I can explain, but they also remind me how lucky we were to have him,” she continued. “Kyle, the kids and I miss you every second of every day. Our hearts ache for you, but it’s more than that. Your absence is something we physically feel. Our bodies hurt from missing you, from reaching for someone who isn’t there, from loving someone we can’t hold anymore.”
She closed with a simple message: “Happy Father’s Day. We love you and miss you more than words can say.”
The tribute resonated across the sports world, with fans and fellow drivers sharing their own memories of Kyle Busch’s passion for racing and his devotion to his family.
The Busch family’s public grief was on display at the Coca‑Cola 600, held shortly after Kyle’s death. At the race, his parents, Tom and Gaye Busch, and his older brother joined Samantha, Brexton and Lennix on the track as NASCAR honored his legacy.
“Kyle Busch is NASCAR,” NASCAR CEO Steve O’Donnell said during the ceremony. “He was one‑of‑a‑kind, and there will never be another.”
Samantha’s post, which combined candid reflections with intimate snapshots of family life, underscored the enduring impact of Kyle Busch both on and off the track.