Tribute postponed
Nitro Motorsports had announced a special paint scheme that would have paid homage to the late NASCAR champion Kyle Busch, with Thomas Annunziata slated to drive the car at the ARCA Menards Series event at Lime Rock Park. The tribute was meant to celebrate Busch’s legacy and to give fans a visual link to his storied career.
However, a compressed schedule left the team with insufficient time to finalize the design, apply the livery and complete the necessary logistics. As a result, the program was scrapped just days before the race, leaving Annunziata’s entry without the intended visual homage.
Annunziata, now in his first full‑time ARCA season, has emerged as a serious championship contender, posting top‑ten finishes in nine of the eleven races held so far and securing five top‑five results. His lone ARCA victory came at Lime Rock Park in 2025, where he started from pole position and led a substantial portion of the event.
The cancellation also underscores the tight margins faced by mid‑level teams that must balance sponsor expectations, driver ambitions and logistical realities. While the tribute will not materialize this weekend, Annunziata remains second in the points standings, trailing only his Nitro Motorsports teammate Jake Bollman, and will look to capitalize on upcoming opportunities to honor Busch on the track.