Samantha Busch has spoken in public for the first time since the death of her husband, NASCAR legend Kyle Busch, at a New York gala.
The 40-year-old widow attended the Carlos Rodon Foundation's Third Annual Willow Gala in New York City, where she was presented with the Seeds of Hope Award, according to People magazine.
The event was hosted by New York Yankees pitcher Carlos Rodon and his wife Ashley to support couples struggling with infertility.
Addressing attendees in an emotional speech, Samantha paid tribute to her late husband and described his passing three months ago as the greatest heartbreak of her life.
"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 said.
"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," she added.
In vitro fertilisation, commonly known as IVF, is a medical procedure in which eggs are removed from ovaries and fertilised in a laboratory to assist with pregnancy. The gala raised more than $1 million for couples navigating the emotional and financial strain of infertility and pregnancy loss.
Support for fertility treatments
Samantha was recognised for her efforts to support IVF treatments through her work with The Bundle of Joy Fund, an organisation she and her husband established in 2015.
The foundation provides monetary grants for in-need couples struggling with infertility, along with costs associated with IVF treatment.
During her address, Samantha said that continuing the foundation gives her a piece of Kyle to hold onto as she keeps moving forward following her tragic loss.
"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," she said.
"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."
Kyle Busch, a two-time Cup Series champion, died suddenly at the age of 41 in May after suffering from severe pneumonia that progressed into sepsis. Sepsis is a severe medical condition caused by the body's immune system overreacting to an infection, which can lead to organ failure.
He is survived by Samantha and their two children, 11-year-old son Brexton and four-year-old daughter Lennix.
The couple welcomed both of their children through in vitro fertilisation after struggling to get pregnant and experiencing several miscarriages.
Legacy in American motorsport
NASCAR, the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing, is the major sanctioning body for stock car racing in North America. During his career, Busch achieved remarkable success and built a reputation as one of the sport's premier competitors.
He holds the all-time record for victories across NASCAR's top three national series. His record included winning over 20 races at Bristol Motor Speedway, a short-track venue in Tennessee known for its steep banking and intense racing environment.
Busch had achieved another race victory just the weekend before his death.
Resurfaced podcast comments
Following his passing, attention turned to a podcast clip featuring Samantha that resurfaced online. The recording came from an episode of her podcast, Certified Oversharer, which aired six months before her husband died.
During the episode, Samantha spoke with guest author Ashley George about what the couple planned to do with their remaining stored embryos.
"Here's something I've never told anybody. I'm a certified over-sharer. So a lot of people ask me what we have done with our embryos because we still have some," Samantha said on the podcast.
"I can't part with them. We are paying to freeze them until... they're going to have to come with me. I don't know what else to do at this point because I love them so much and can't make a decision."
She recalled telling her husband about a hypothetical scenario in which she would use the embryos to remain connected to him if he passed away.
"Kyle was like, 'We're done having kids' and I said, 'But what if?' I told him the most morbid story the other day. I was like, 'What if you passed? I would have to have another kid to be connected to you and name that child after you'."
"He was like, 'What is wrong with you?' and I was like, 'These are the things I think about Kyle.' I love being a mom and I have never told anybody that until I told you."
White House visit and tributes
The couple's work surrounding IVF treatments previously led to an invitation to the White House. Samantha met with Donald Trump last October to discuss presidential efforts to lower the financial costs associated with fertility care.
Following news of the driver's death, Trump paid tribute to Busch on Truth Social, describing him as a true talent who loved NASCAR and its fans.
"The LEGENDARY NASCAR Driver Kyle Busch tragically and unexpectedly passed away yesterday," Trump wrote.
"He was a true talent who loved NASCAR and its fans. Kyle was a WINNER! He was a two time Cup Champion, and holds the All Time Record for WINS in NASCAR’s Top Three series, and even won another just last weekend."
Trump added: "Kyle’s wife, Samantha, and their two beautiful children are in our thoughts and prayers. Samantha was at the White House in October, for IVF. She truly loved Kyle! Rest in Peace Kyle Busch. You will always be a LEGEND!"
Days after his death, Samantha appeared with Brexton and Lennix at the Coca-Cola 600 race, where she broke down in tears alongside her son in an emotional scene honoring the late driver.
