The NASCAR world is still reeling from the shock of Kyle Busch's sudden death at 41, and now Dale Earnhardt Jr. is revealing the final moments they shared together.
During a May 26 episode of his podcast, The Dale Jr. Download, Earnhardt opened up about texting with Busch the day before his death. The conversation was about logistics. "I was texting with him the day before he passed away about getting together this Thursday to bring his seat for his late model over to my shop," Earnhardt said.
Busch was hospitalized for severe pneumonia, yet he was focused on the future. "He's texting me, and he's like, 'What scheme we going to run?' And I was like, 'You can run any scheme you want,'" Earnhardt recalled. When Busch asked what number he'd run, Earnhardt gave him the tribute: "'The Dale Jr. 8.'"
The 51-year-old said it's been "extremely" difficult processing how sudden and ordinary that final exchange felt. The unexpected nature of losing him hit hard.
Earnhardt has found solace in reflecting on the man behind the legend. "What I've enjoyed, I guess, is learning more about Kyle the person," he explained. "Hearing how he interacted and how he was to others, the joke they may have shared in a text—I've really enjoyed learning who he was away from the track."
Busch's family confirmed he died on May 21 after being hospitalized for severe pneumonia that evolved into sepsis. NASCAR released a statement calling him "a rare talent, one who comes along once in a generation." The racing community continues to honor his legacy.
