Ty Gibbs will drive a special M&M’s paint scheme on his No. 54 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota in the NASCAR Cup Series night race at Bristol Motor Speedway on September 19, honoring the late Kyle Busch.
Samantha Busch, Kyle’s widow, announced the tribute on social media Thursday.
Bristol ranked among her husband’s favorite tracks, where he thrived under the lights and claimed nine Cup Series victories along with 23 total NASCAR wins. He spent 15 seasons (2008-22) with Joe Gibbs Racing in the iconic No. 18 M&M’s car before moving to Richard Childress Racing in 2023.
“Bristol was always one of Kyle’s favorite tracks,” Samantha Busch wrote. “He loved racing under the lights, found so much success there, and the iconic M&M’S car holds some of the best memories of his career and our life together. Going back without him will be heartbreaking. He should be there. But I’m so grateful to be able to tell you that those iconic M&M’S colors will be coming back to Bristol, one last time, on the 54 car.
“It’s a chance to honor him at a place he loved so much, surrounded by our NASCAR family and the fans who loved him too. I know Kyle would want us to be there, to keep showing up, keep racing, and keep carrying his legacy forward.”
Busch, a two-time Cup Series champion, died May 21 at age 41 after severe pneumonia progressed into sepsis. His final victory with Joe Gibbs Racing in the M&M’s car came on the Bristol dirt track in 2022.
Gibbs, who recently scored his second win of the season, shared his excitement on Instagram.
“Excited for Bristol. Gonna be a cool 1,” he posted, later adding, “So honored to drive this.”
The scheme features the classic multicolored M&M’s design with a mosaic of career and family photos woven into the livery.
