Kyle Busch is being honored at the Indy 500: pylon, No. 18 font, pit signs

INDIANAPOLIS -- NASCAR driver Kyle Busch is being recognized during Sunday's Indianapolis 500 by Indianapolis Motor Speedway and several of the IndyCar teams. Busch died at 41 on Thursday, due to pneumonia that developed into sepsis.

The IMS pylon will be lit in his honor for Lap 18, the number of his car when he won the Brickyard 400 in 2015 and '16.

IndyCar and Indianapolis Motor Speedway president Doug Boles shared the plans for Sunday on social media Friday, also noting Busch was working to run the Indy 500 in the future. His brother, Kurt Busch, ran in the Indy 500 in 2014.

He’s a multi-time winner @IMS on Brickyard 400 weekend. He recently expressed strong interest in also running the #Indy500 and was working to do that in the future. Sunday we will light the pylon on Lap 18 of the 500 in memory of @KyleBusch! https://t.co/vXU7C30v8M— J. Douglas Boles (@jdouglas4) May 22, 2026

Kyle Busch honored with No. 18 Dale Coyne Racing font

Dale Coyne Racing is honoring Busch by using the same font on their No. 18 car in this year's race. Busch notably raced under the same number for 14 years with Joe Gibbs Racing.

.@DaleCoyneRacing will run its No. 18 car in tomorrow's Indy 500 with the same font that Kyle Busch used for years @JoeGibbsRacing to pay respect to the NASCAR legend.

➡️ DCR said that @TownsendBell had the idea and that @FOXSports and JGR helped assist on the effort. pic.twitter.com/xXGFW9K7Wu— Adam Stern (@A_S12) May 23, 2026

Ganassi changing pit signs in honor of Kyle Busch

The Chip Ganassi Racing team is changing their pit signs for the race in honor of Busch.

For Kyle. ❤️ pic.twitter.com/eGcgyo2lEW— Chip Ganassi Racing ⚡️ (@CGRTeams) May 24, 2026

IMS will honor Kyle Busch on scoring pilon for 18th lap

During the 18th lap of the race, Busch will be honored on the IMS scoring pylon.

Forever in our hearts.

Godspeed, racer ❤️ pic.twitter.com/sKzdZNAL8U— Indianapolis Motor Speedway (@IMS) May 22, 2026

Ahead of the race, veteran NASCAR drivers Jimmie Johnson, Danica Patrick, and Tony Stewart took time to remember Kyle Busch live on Fox from IMS.

Before the Indy 500, @JimmieJohnson, @DanicaPatrick, and @TonyStewart remember Kyle Busch. pic.twitter.com/wemDa2t7Cr— INDYCAR on FOX (@IndyCarOnFOX) May 24, 2026

IndyCar teams honoring Kyle Busch with No. 8 stickers

Team Penske racers will have a new logo near the front of their vehicles, to honor Busch during the race.

Riding with us for 500 miles. pic.twitter.com/cWqvDpceHT— Team Penske (@Team_Penske) May 24, 2026

Kyle Busch was a two-time Cup champion in 2015 and 2019.

"Everyone at Indianapolis Motor Speedway is heartbroken to learn of the passing of Kyle Busch," IMS and IndyCar President Doug Boles said in a statement Thursday. "Kyle was one of the most dominant racers in IMS history, highlighted by back-to-back NASCAR Cup Series Brickyard 400 victories in 2015 and 2016, making history by sweeping both the Cup and NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series races in those years. He won a record four O'Reilly Series races at the Racing Capital of the World and made his 700th career Cup Series start in the 30th anniversary 2024 Brickyard 400 at IMS – a significant career milestone.

"He was a fan favorite, loved for his competitive spirit and passion. He understood what racing and winning at Indianapolis means. Our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with his wife, Samantha, children Brexton and Lennix, the entire Busch family, Richard Childress Racing and the entire NASCAR family."

Busch was set to continue his Cup season and the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series at Charlotte Motor Speedway this weekend until his family announced he was hospitalized with a severe illness on Thursday morning.

"Our entire NASCAR family is heartbroken by the loss of Kyle Busch," NASCAR posted in an online statement. "A future Hall of Famer, Kyle was a rare talent, one who comes along once in a generation. He was fierce, he was passionate, he was immensely skilled and he cared deeply about the sport and fans."

Busch requested medical aid from his car during a Cup race at Watkins Glen International on May 10, saying, "I'm gonna need a shot" on his radio, per The Athletic. He finished that race and won the truck race at Dover Motor Speedway on May 15.

"You take whatever you can get, man," Busch said after winning the truck race. "You never know when the last one is going to be, so cherish them all — trust me."

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Kyle Busch death: Indy 500 pylon on 18th lap, pit signs, font stickers