Kyle Busch’s Widow Samantha Speaks Publicly for First Time Since NASCAR Star’s Death: ‘Greatest Heartbreak of My Life’

Natasha Dye, Niya DoyleTue, August 25, 2026 at 8:56 PM UTC

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Kyle and Samantha Busch attend the NASCAR Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony; Samantha Busch at the 2026 Willow GalaCredit: David Jensen/Getty; Bryan Bedder/Getty -

Kyle Busch’s widow Samantha spoke at the Carlos Ródon Foundation’s Third Annual Willow Gala on Monday, Aug. 24

Samantha said losing Kyle “has been the greatest heartbreak of my life” as she was presented with the Seeds of Hope Award

“And if I’m being truthful, there are still so many things I don’t understand and so many times I wish God’s plan looked different than it does,” Samantha admitted

Three months after NASCAR champion Kyle Busch’s unexpected death, his widow Samantha Busch delivered a powerful speech at the The Carlos Rodón Foundation’s Third Annual Willow Gala.

After being presented with the Seeds of Hope Award on Monday, Aug. 24, Samantha, 40, told attendees she “never imagined I would be standing here accepting this award without Kyle.”

“Losing him has been the greatest heartbreak of my life,” said Samantha, who was honored in recognition of her and her late husband’s foundation, The Bundle of Joy Fund. “And if I’m being truthful, there are still so many things I don’t understand and so many times I wish God’s plan looked different than it does.”

Samantha Busch speaks at the Carlos Ródon Foundation 2026 Willow GalaCredit: Bryan Bedder/Getty

Samantha continued, “Caring for the things that Kyle and I built together can feel incredibly heavy because he should still be here doing it beside me. But I also know that the same God who carried us through infertility is still carrying me now.”

The mother of two said her foundation “gives me a piece of Kyle to hold onto as I keep moving forward” as she addressed guests at the gala. “Every grant we give, every positive pregnancy test, every heartbeat, every baby placed into the arms of parents who wondered if that moment would ever come, Kyle is still a part of that.”

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Samantha went on to say her husband’s “legacy will always live on through” their children, Brexton, 11, and Lennox, 4, “through racing, and through all of the incredible things he accomplished.”

She added, “But I hope this is part of how people remember him, too: Not just for the champion he was, but for his heart, his generosity, and for the more than 113 babies born because of this mission he cared so deeply about.”

Samantha also took a moment to thank Ashley and Carlos Ródon for their work with their foundation, which raised over $1 million to help expand access to IVF and fertility treatments on Monday.

“Thank you so much for honoring Kyle tonight. I pray that in his honor we can give more couples a chance to experience the greatest gift Kyle and I were ever given: The chance to become mom and dad,” she said before thanking everyone for their support.

Kyle and Samantha Busch with their children on Feb. 21, 2026Credit: Sean Gardner/Getty

Kyle died on May 21 at age 41 after he was hospitalized with severe pneumonia that progressed into sepsis.

Samantha broke her silence in a post on Instagram on June 5, writing, “There are moments when the weight of this loss feels impossible to carry, yet time and time again God, through you all, has shown us we are not alone. From family and friends to fans and complete strangers, thank you for showing up for us. Thank you for loving our family so well.”

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Source: “AOL Entertainment”