Dale Coyne Racing honored the late Kyle Busch by restyling Romain Grosjean's No. 18 entry for Sunday's 110th Indianapolis 500. The livery change marks a tribute to Busch, who died unexpectedly just days before the race.
Busch had been vocal about his ambition to compete in the Indy 500 and attempt The Double, the legendary feat of winning both the Indianapolis 500 and the NASCAR Cup Series championship in the same season. The NASCAR veteran's sudden passing shocked the motorsport community, but DCR ensured his memory would be represented on track during one of racing's most prestigious events.
Grosjean, the French-Canadian driver piloting the No. 18, carries forward DCR's effort to celebrate Busch's racing aspirations. The move reflects the tight bonds within motorsport and the respect competitors hold for one another across series boundaries. Busch's pursuit of the Indy 500 represented his desire to expand his legacy beyond full-time NASCAR competition, something that resonated throughout the racing world.
The Indianapolis 500 remains one of motorsport's most challenging and storied races. Attempting The Double requires not only exceptional skill but also precise timing, physical endurance, and logistical coordination. Busch's determination to join the select group of drivers who have achieved this feat underscored his competitive fire.
DCR's tribute ensures that Busch's unfulfilled dream gets acknowledged on the biggest stage in open-wheel racing. For Grosjean, driving the specially livered No. 18 carries additional meaning. The Indy 500 remains one of motorsport's most grueling competitions, and honoring a fallen competitor while competing at the highest level represents the sport's values of respect and remembrance.