Kyle Busch's Family Honored Before Coca-Cola 600

CONCORD, N.C. -- In their first appearance since the two-time NASCAR Cup Series champion's passing Thursday, Kyle Busch's family was honored during pre-race ceremonies for Sunday's Coca-Cola 600.

Busch's wife, Samantha, and their children, 11-year-old Brexton and 4-year-old Lennix, appeared with Kyle's parents, Gaye and Tom, and his brother, 2004 Cup Series champion Kurt Busch.

With team owner Richard Childress beside them and the entire Coca-Cola 600 field behind them in solidarity, NASCAR CEO Steve O'Donnell spoke and assured the Busch family they're not alone and have a family in NASCAR.

O'Donnell also described Busch as "truly NASCAR" during the drivers' meeting where NASCAR left a seat open for him.

During the pace laps, pole sitter Tyler Reddick lagged back to leave an open spot in a 'missing man formation' that coincidentally put the No. 54 Monster Toyota out in front. Although Ty Gibbs was behind the wheel, Kyle Busch made the scheme iconic with wins in the NASCAR O'Reilly Auto Parts Series. 

In the grass laid eight flowers Kurt Busch put on the painted No. 8. The tributes with the eight continued in the race as each fan held up eight fingers on a silent lap 8. Some fans held up five fingers on one hand and three on the other to total three, which harkened back to the salute to Dale Earnhardt after his untimely death in 2001. 

Busch died Thursday from complications of severe pneumonia that turned into sepsis. His last known public appearance was Tuesday at the opening of Andretti Karting in Durham, North Carolina, with Mario Andretti and others. His last race was Sunday in the NASCAR All-Star Race at Dover Motor Speedway and his last win was two days before that in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series at Dover. 

Tributes to Busch have poured in and are all over the Coca-Cola 600 field, including with Kyle Larson who put "Tiny Kyle" on his car. Tiny Kyle was Busch's nickname for Larson.

Larson's son, Owen, also paid tribute to Kyle Busch in the form of relief for his son, Brexton, during the pre-race ceremonies.