Kyle Busch was a fan favorite — and a popular villain — wherever he went, and Northern California was no exception. He was one of the best — and possibly one of the most divisive — drivers in auto racing’s modern age.

Busch, who died May 21 due to complications from bacterial pneumonia and sepsis, left behind a legacy as the winningest driver in NASCAR history. His grit and relentless pursuit for success showed his passion for the sport, no matter what he was driving and no matter what kind of track. He won 234 races in all three national series combined and two Cup series championships, in 2015 and 2019.

Busch, who earned two memorable NASCAR Cup Series wins and a Truck Series victory at Sonoma, will be posthumously inducted into the raceway’s Wall of Fame, with the unveiling scheduled for Sunday ahead of the Toyota/Save Mart 350.

“Kyle Busch was one of the fiercest competitors this sport has ever seen,” said Brian Flynn, executive vice president and general manager of Sonoma Raceway. “He embraced every challenge our road course presented and consistently delivered unforgettable moments for our fans. While we deeply wish he could be here to accept this honor himself, we are proud to celebrate a legacy that will forever be part of Sonoma Raceway.”

The induction ceremony will include the unveiling of Busch’s Wall of Fame plaque and feature tributes from members of the NASCAR community, former competitors and special guests. Members of the Busch family will accept the honor on his behalf.

“Kyle’s impact on Sonoma Raceway extends far beyond the wins,” Flynn said. “He challenged every competitor, thrilled every fan, and elevated every race he entered. His name will forever be woven into the history of this raceway, and it is our privilege to ensure future generations recognize what he meant to this sport.”

Busch’s first trip to Sonoma Raceway for the NASCAR Cup Series in 2005 with a Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet was disappointing, as he finished 40th after qualifying 13th. He made dramatic strides the next two years, but his big breakthrough at Sonoma didn’t come until he joined Joe Gibbs Racing.

Busch started 30th in 2008 at Sonoma and quickly worked his way through the field. He took the lead on Lap 33 with the help of a timely caution and then led 78 of 112 laps to his first career road course win. Busch won eight races in his first season with Joe Gibbs Racing, heralding a successful partnership that lasted 14 years.

Busch made a dramatic comeback in 2015 after suffering a compound fracture in his lower right leg and a broken left foot at the start of the season. Busch hurried back into the driver’s seat and in just his fifth race back, he passed Jimmie Johnson for the lead with five laps to go and found himself in a fight to the finish at Sonoma Raceway with older brother Kurt. Kyle Busch held on for the win by a half-second and went on to claim the first of his two NASCAR Cup Series championships.

Busch gained a reputation as “Rowdy,” a hard-nosed driver on the track, but he loved racing and was also ready to help other drivers.

“The last couple of years working so close together, I got to know Kyle so well,” said AJ Allmendinger, who is making his 500th career NASCAR start. “If I had to make a call to someone and ask about racing, I was going to get the 100% truth from Kyle. And it was not just a quick answer and then he’d hang up the phone. He’d go in depth and talk with me, or anyone, at length. That meant a lot to me.”

Kyle Busch showed his skill in 2022 when the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series returned to Sonoma for the first time in 24 years. Busch qualified third and led 45 of 75 laps for his only Truck Series win at Sonoma. Busch won at least one Truck Series race each of 14 consecutive seasons from 2013-2026, finishing with 69 victories.