Race team scraps plan to honor late NASCAR champ Kyle Busch

Nitro Motorsports has canceled plans to feature a tribute paint scheme for the late NASCAR champion Kyle Busch. The team, based in Mooresville, intended to run the design on driver Thomas Annunziata’s No. 70 car during this week's ARCA Menards Series race at Lime Rock Park in Connecticut.

Annunziata, a 21-year-old rising talent currently second in the series point standings, hoped to honor Busch, who he cited as his primary inspiration for entering the sport. The proposed design referenced the iconic yellow car Busch drove during his career.

A team representative stated that while the concept was well-intentioned, the logistical timeline for executing the tribute did not align in time for the race weekend. The decision marks an end to the team's attempt to celebrate the legacy of the two-time Cup Series champion on track.

Busch passed away on May 21 from sepsis. His influence continues to be felt across the racing community, with several drivers and teams paying tribute in the months following his death.