Ty Gibbs will drive an M&M’s-sponsored No. 54 in the NASCAR Cup Series race at Bristol Motor Speedway to honor Kyle Busch, Busch’s widow Samantha Busch revealed on social media Aug. 13.
M&M’s was one of Busch’s longtime sponsors in NASCAR when he drove Joe Gibbs Racing’s No. 18.
“Bristol was always one of Kyle’s favorite tracks,” Samantha Busch wrote on social media. “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 [No.] 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.”
Gibbs is fresh off his second win of the 2026 season, which came at Iowa Speedway. He also has 10 top fives and 15 top 10s, sitting second in points entering this weekend.
Busch died May 21 at the age of 41 after contracting pneumonia, eventually developing sepsis.
Kevin Rutherford is the executive editor of Frontstretch, a position he gained in 2025 after being the managing editor since 2015, and serving on the editing staff since 2013.
At his day job, he's a journalist covering music and rock charts at Billboard. He lives in New York City, but his heart is in Ohio -- you know, like that Hawthorne Heights song.