NASCAR fans were left heartbroken during an emotional moment at the legendary Indianapolis 500 as lap 18 became a powerful tribute to racing icon Kyle Busch following his tragic death from severe pneumonia earlier this week. 🏁💔 As the pylon lit up with a smiling photo of Busch alongside the years of his life, the entire track seemed to fall silent in a moment that brought fans, drivers, and even longtime rivals to tears. 😢 From the emotional reactions in the stands to the unforgettable atmosphere surrounding the tribute, this heartbreaking scene has quickly become one of the most talked-about moments in motorsports history.

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Kyle Busch was honored during lap 18 of the Indy 500 on Sunday as the scoring pylon at Indianapolis Motor Speedway was lit up in his memory.

The pylon displayed a picture of a smiling Busch along with his name and the years of his life, following his tragic death due to severe pneumonia earlier this week.

Upon the race entering the 18th lap, the FOX broadcast of the race observed a moment of silence.

The Indianapolis 500 scoring pylon displaying a tribute to NASCAR driver Kyle Busch who passed away during the NTT IndyCar Series.

Kyle Busch was honored on Sunday at the Indy 500Getty Images

There was also a moment of silence observed for Busch at a NASCAR Truck Series race in Charlotte on Friday, in addition to the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series race the following day.

The Hurricanes also held a moment of silence for the North Carolina resident Busch, 41, ahead of their playoff game against the Canadiens on Thursday.

The No. 18 car of Dale Coyne Racing’s Romain Grosjean was also re-designed for the Indy 500 in honor of Busch.

The car’s font was tweaked to match that of Busch’s No. 18 car during much of his career.

Kyle Busch wearing a blue "Lucas Oil" hat and matching racing suit with various sponsor patches, smiling, with blue lights in the background.

Busch, who died of severe pneumonia on Thursday, is pictured here at the NASCAR All-Star auto race on May 17.AP Photo/Derik Hamilton

Busch never actually got the chance to race in IndyCar’s flagship event, but he will be memorialized there nonetheless.

Busch died on Thursday, following hospilization for what his family initially described as a “severe illness.”

It was later reported by the Associated Press that he became unresponsive the day before his death while testing a racing simulator in Concord, N.C.

A medical evaluation was later given to the family that said his pneumonia progressed into sepsis, which led to “rapid and overwhelming associated complications.”