Ty Gibbs nearly scored emotional Bristol win in Kyle Busch tribute paint scheme

It was only fitting that Ty Gibbs, driving a Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota adorned with a multi-colored M&M paint scheme, led 120 laps of Saturday's NASCAR Cup Series race at Bristol.

Gibbs was driving a special paint scheme to honor the late Kyle Busch, who died at age 41 on May 21 and won a total of 23 races at Bristol, including eight in the Cup Series.

Gibbs was battling for the lead late with Carson Hocevar, but both drivers slipped and allowed Joey Logano to take the lead. Logano went on to win the race, while a struggling Gibbs fell to fifth.

Still, it was a solid points night for Gibbs, who is fifth in the standings and 42 points back of leader Kyle Larson, and a very special night as he honored Busch. Fans at Bristol waved commemorative towels on Lap 18 of Saturday's race.

Kyle Busch will always be in our hearts.

"It was an honor to drive the M&M’s Camry, and it was something I’ll never forget," Gibbs told USA Network. "That was such a fun race. Unfortunate that we lost it. I just tried to stay up a little bit too long in 1 and 2 that shut the 77 off, and then the 5 got in there and we just missed it a little bit. But I had a blast tonight and it was so much fun."

"It was such a special weekend, especially for M&M’s and for Samantha [Busch] and their family. I’m just proud to be a part of it and proud to have something to do with it."

Gibbs earned his first career Cup Series win at Bristol on April 12, and with how good he was on Saturday, he looked a little bit Kyle Busch-esque.