The sports world suffered a heartbreaking loss on May 21, 2026, when NASCAR legend Kyle Busch passed away at the age of 41 due to an undisclosed illness. 

Besides reigning as one of the greatest motorsport drivers of his generation, Busch had also cultivated respect and relationships across multiple sports.

One of his memorable collaborations involved the Florida Panthers. The NHL team is one of the most recognizable franchises in ice hockey.

Busch and the Panthers joined hands for the SRX Series race in 2023. Held at the Motor Mile Speedway, the NHL team put its branding on Busch's No. 51 car. The partnership proved successful as he had a great night.

Filled with youthful talent and veteran guile, the race got a little spicy, with Busch also getting involved.

In his very first SRX Series race, Busch came away as the winner, with the Florida Panthers logo on the side of his car.

However, his relationship with the NHL doesn't end there. When asked to draw comparisons between NASCAR and the NHL, the motorsport driver instead mentioned a popular figure in ice hockey.

"I am not a hockey guy. Wayne Gretzky, that's sort of a name I'm familiar with," he remarked, as per NHLFanCentral.

Busch himself understood what it meant to be a dominant figure in a sport. He had other ties to the hockey world. In 2015, Busch famously attended an NHL game in the home arena of the Arizona Coyotes. He had stopped by to promote the Sprint Cup's season-opening Daytona 500 event.

The NASCAR driver shared a moment and exchanged jerseys with the Coyotes captain, Shane Doan. He received a Coyotes shirt with his name and car number 18 on the back.

Following his unfortunate demise, he was honored and remembered at the Eastern Conference Finals.

NHL Teams Pay Tribute to Kyle Busch

Before Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals between the Carolina Hurricanes and the Montreal Canadiens, the Hurricanes honored Busch with a touching tribute on the Lenovo Center jumbotron. 

They weren't alone, as shortly after his passing, the Vegas Golden Knights also posted a tribute on social media. Busch was notably born and raised in Las Vegas, Nevada.

"We are heartbroken to hear of Kyle's passing. Our deepest condolences to the Busch family and all those who knew him," the team posted on X. "We will miss you in Vegas." 

Busch was a two-time Cup Series champion with over 60 Cup wins, and leaves behind one of the most decorated careers in NASCAR history. With tributes pouring in across various sports, there's little doubt that his legacy extended well beyond motorsport.

Read more at NHL Fan Central.

Written by

Aadhya Nalla

Edited by

Sijo Paul