CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Thousands of fans gathered at Charlotte Motor Speedway on Friday to remember NASCAR champion Kyle Busch, months after his death from pneumonia that developed into sepsis, his family said. The free public ceremony included video tributes, an acoustic performance by country singer Cole Swindell and a drone light show. Fans received commemorative flags and rally towels. Busch’s widow, Samantha Busch, thanked supporters and said her husband had come to appreciate his racing career and share it with their children. She urged fans to remember him as a person as well as a driver, saying his legacy could continue when young racers are given opportunities and others pass along lessons he taught. After her remarks, the couple’s son, Brexton, performed a burnout on the speedway’s front stretch and gave a bow atop his car in tribute to his father. Kyle Busch’s older brother, fellow racer Kurt Busch, opened the event by recalling his younger brother’s drive as a child. He said he had told reporters early in Kyle’s career to watch for him, predicting that Kyle would prove even faster. Drivers Daniel Suarez, Christopher Bell, Noah Gragson, Kyle Larson and Austin Dillon, along with team owner Joe Gibbs, also shared memories. Kyle Busch recorded 234 victories across NASCAR’s three national series and is Charlotte Motor Speedway’s winningest driver.