MIRAMAR BEACH, Fla. - The shocking death of NASCAR legend Kyle Busch is being felt across the sports world, with Tennessee basketball coach Rick Barnes among those in disbelief. Busch passed away last week due to complications from pneumonia at the age of 41.
Barnes, an avid NASCAR fan who grew up attending races in Hickory, North Carolina, said he was stunned by the news.
'Being a NASCAR fan, I was shocked, I couldn't believe it,' Barnes told OutKick. 'I was really in disbelief because I was thinking of Kyle Busch at 41 years old... He pushed himself really to almost like a tragic death.'
Barnes, who has battled double-pneumonia himself, questioned how the driver could have climbed into a simulator under those conditions.
NASCAR paid tribute to Busch ahead of the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. CEO Steve O'Donnell spoke to fans alongside Busch's wife, Samantha, and their two children. Drivers lined the grid as 'Amazing Grace' played.
Tributes also came from the NHL, MLB, IndyCar, and the PGA.
Barnes praised NASCAR's handling of the loss: 'I have great respect for NASCAR because I think they have the beat on America. The way they respect what’s come before them... I thought they did a great job.'
He added: 'The sad part is his wife and two kids... knowing that I think he wanted to one day race his son.'