Numerous tributes to NASCAR driver Kyle Busch have come pouring in since his death at the age of 41 on Thursday, May 21.
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On Sunday, Brad Paisley had the honor of putting Busch's legacy to music during the pre-race concert at the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway in Concord, North Carolina. And not only did the "Whiskey Lullaby" singer understand the assignment, but he passed with flying colors.
What Song Did Brad Paisley Sing in Tribute to Kyle Busch?
Paisley said that he never expected to dedicate his song "When I Get Where I'm Going" to Busch. Originally a duet with Dolly Parton on his 2005 album Time Well Wasted, the lyrics really summed up the moment.
"When I get where I'm going
There'll be only happy tears
I will shed the sins and struggles
I have carried all these years
And I'll leave my heart wide open
I will love and have no fear
Yeah, when I get where I'm going
Don't cry for me down here"
Busch's Spirit Hung Over the Race
As the race unfolded, Busch's influence was evident. He had been a mentor to Daniel Suarez when Suarez was first starting off in NASCAR. It only seemed appropriate that he won the Coca-Cola 600.
"Just a week ago, I was hanging out with Kyle, and he seemed perfectly fine, and right now he's not here with us anymore. It's very surreal how things were happening," he said. "Obviously, he was very loved and very respected by the entire NASCAR community. And a lot of people didn't know this about Kyle, but he was just such a good person and somebody that really loved to help."
Suarez added that he considered Busch to be "the Michael Jordan of NASCAR."
"He didn't really have to help me, and he gave me a hand when I needed it the most," says Suarez. "To have a legend like Kyle give me advice pretty much on a weekly basis for an entire year was extremely helpful, and I realized what kind of person he was."
On Saturday morning, Busch's family said in a statement that Busch's cause of death was "severe pneumonia progressed into sepsis, resulting in rapid and overwhelming associated complications."
