Daniel Suárez dedicated an emotional Coca-Cola 600 victory to former owner and teammate Kyle Busch on Sunday, holding off the field late with a two-tire strategy.

American motorsports lost a legend on Thursday when two-time NASCAR Cup Champion Kyle Busch passed away at the age of 41. The racing community paid respects to Busch throughout the weekend with tributes, while a teary-eyed Suárez pointed to the sky after emerging from his winning car.

“This win is for Kyle,” Suárez said. 

With Busch’s last win coming in the No. 7 Spire Truck a week prior at Dover, Suárez wheeled the same No. 7 back to victory lane for the first time with Spire, led by crew chief Ryan Sparks.

10 drivers in the field drove for Busch during their careers, including second-place finisher Christopher Bell. Suárez held Bell and 2022 Coke 600 winner Denny Hamlin at bay for two restarts before rain cut the race short with 27 laps to go.

“Every win is special,” Suárez said. “This one has a special flavor because of Kyle. This win is for him. If it wasn’t for Kyle, I wouldn’t have been an Xfinity champion.”

During media day, Suárez reflected on the role Busch played in his development. Suárez raced for Kyle Busch Motorsports in the Truck Series from 2015 to 2016 and received aid from Busch while navigating a new life in the United States.

“Coming from Mexico, I just have a way different journey than most drivers,” Suárez said to Matt Weaver of Motorsport. 

Busch called Suárez more than 30 times a year to help him along.

The 2016 O’Reilly Series Champion shattered an 82-race winless streak to score his third career Cup win. The longest race in NASCAR produced 10 different winners across the last 10 years.

Three cautions for weather flew for rain, with the final falling on lap 373. A heavy shower left the 1.5-mile speedway layer with moisture, leaving NASCAR officials no choice but to call the race.

This marks the first time in NASCAR that weather-shortened events have occurred across all three series.  

Toyota-power teams dominated, leading 289 of 373 laps. Hamlin and Bell won stages with 2021 race-winner Kyle Larson sneaking past the Ellipses brigade on a late restart to win the first stage.

“I am happy we got away with a great race,” Bell said to Devin Kupka of North Georgia Vanguard. “But obviously could’ve had more.”

Bell felt NASCAR made the right decision to end the race and commended Suárez’s defense.

“(Suárez) did everything right to defend the position and win the race,” Bell said. “I knew that it was gonna come down to keeping him pinned on the restart, not letting him clear me for the lead, and he cleared me.”

The 2024 Coke 600 champion left Charlotte frustrated after bringing winning speed and falling short. Bell, who won four races a year ago, remains winless in 2026.

“Just 2026, man,” Bell said after leading 44 laps. “Nothing's gone right for us so far.”

Former KBM drivers William Byron and Zane Smith scored top-10 results. Smith recovered from a speeding penalty to lead 34 laps and cross the finish line 10th.

“Probably one of the best cars I’ve had at my time with (Front Row Motorsports),” Smith said to John Newby of Savage Ventures. “With everything happening with Kyle, I wish I was able to win and do the bow.”