Daniel Suárez Wins Coca-Cola 600, Dedicates Victory to Kyle Busch

Daniel Suárez won the Coca-Cola 600 on Sunday night, dedicating the victory to his late friend Kyle Busch. Suárez used a two-tire pit stop and hard rain to hold off Christopher Bell and Denny Hamlin. The win came in the first race since the death of the 41-year-old two-time Nascar champion.

Suárez said the victory carried special meaning. “This one really means a lot,” he said after being hugged on pit road by teammate Michael McDowell and four-time 600 winner Jimmie Johnson. He added that Busch had helped him become an Xfinity champion and earn his Cup Series opportunity. “This one is for him,” Suárez said.

A ceremony honoring Busch took place before the race with his family in attendance. Kurt Busch laid white roses in memory of his brother. Busch’s family stated he died after severe pneumonia progressed into sepsis. Reddick led the 39-car field in a “missing man” formation during warmup laps. British racer Katherine Legge finished 31st after wrecking early in the Indianapolis 500.