CONCORD, N.C. – Before Daniel Suárez could speak to reporters on Saturday at Charlotte Motor Speedway, he pointed to his arms. Goosebumps.
Suárez had a special bond with two-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Kyle Busch, who suddenly passed away on Thursday due to severe pneumonia that progressed into sepsis, resulting in rapid and overwhelming associated complications, according to a statement from the Busch family.
Steve de Souza, executive vice president of O’Reilly Auto Parts Series and development for Joe Gibbs Racing, introduced Suárez to Busch when he joined the team’s program in 2014. As an upstart from Mexico with no prior ties to racing, Suárez would call Busch regularly for guidance throughout the 2015 season – his rookie campaign in the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series.
“For someone coming from a different country, you don’t know many people,” Suárez said. “The least you expect is to get support from a legend like him.
“It’s very meaningful because I didn’t have anyone to ask for help. I didn’t have anyone to ask for support. To get the support of someone like him, because by 2015, he was already a legend. He was already winning everything.”
Busch enjoyed helping the next generation of drivers, often providing rides for many of the current Cup superstars at Kyle Busch Motorsports. Among them was Suárez, who scored his lone Craftsman Truck Series victory in 2016 at Phoenix Raceway.
Suárez was drinking out of a fire hose in 2015, gaining wisdom from the winningest driver in series history. They would chat weekly, even when Suárez began getting a knack of how to finish towards the front of the field.
“I reached out to him, literally, every single week in 2015 and he took the time to answer every single one of my questions,” Suárez stated. “He was giving me advice and back then we didn’t have any SMT data so everything was by feel. He was giving me a lot of advice on what to do for practice, what to do for qualifying, in the race, what to look for in the lines. A lot of people don’t know that.
“Most people knew Kyle as the villain, as that guy that fans either loved him or hated him. He had a huge heart and was one of those drivers and people that was always willing to give you a hand.”
Suárez vividly remembers winning his first O’Reilly race at Michigan International Speedway. On the losing side that afternoon in a near defeat was Busch, a rarity for the 102-time series victor. He recalled Busch joking that he was finishing giving him advice.
“I remember him joking when I was getting good and we started racing together, he said, ‘I think you are getting too good; I need to stop helping you,’” Suárez chuckled. “But he always continued to help me. For me, that was very impactful.”
That respect was reciprocated on and off the race track. Suárez remembers “partying” with Busch last year in Mexico City with the Cup Series having its inaugural visit to Autódromo Hermanos Rodriguez. Busch gave Suárez a ring after an incident in Cancun.
While fierce competitors, Suárez couldn’t recall the two drivers ever having an on-track excursion.
“I have a lot of situations with many of the drivers, it’s part of racing but I never had one situation with him,” he noted. “Him and I were always great, good friends.”
Less than 48 hours after Busch’s death, Suárez considers it “still a little bit shocking.” Knowing Busch was in the hospital, he sent a text on Thursday morning and never received one back.
Suárez isn’t certain how he will honor Busch moving forward or if he will have anything inside his No. 7 Chevrolet that is a reminder of his relationship with Busch. He strutted around Charlotte on Saturday, repping a No. 8 t-shirt and hat.
“All of us, including you guys, drivers, crew chiefs, I feel like everyone is going to be racing with heavy hearts and [thinking about him],” Suárez concluded. “I hope that we can dedicate this weekend to this legend.”
In 2015, I used to call Kyle once a week for his help and guidance as I started going to racetracks for the first time. He gave me a hand when I was brand new to this. I am in complete shock. I am thinking of his family during this incredibly difficult time.
Much love amigo 🙏🏼 pic.twitter.com/7XdQcxiMin— Daniel Suárez (@Daniel_SuarezG) May 21, 2026