Show Me the Money Series
Jake Finch Outruns Competition, Mother Nature for Third Show Me the Money Win
Jun 7, 2026
Before the start of Saturday's Disturbing the Peace 100 at Montgomery Motor Speedway, Show Me the Money competitors paid tribute to two-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Kyle Busch.
Leading the way in the tribute was Alabama native Presley Johnson. Typically bearing No. 82 on his Pro Late Model, Johnson carried a Kyle Busch tribute wrap for Saturday's race, complete with the stylized Kyle Busch Motorsports No. 51.
During the ceremonial pre-race laps, Johnson carried a flag celebrating Busch's 2015 NASCAR Cup Series championship, the second of his career.
While the Disturbing the Peace 100 was briefly halted after just eight laps for an unexpected passing rain shower, the rain delay offered an opportunity for Johnson to be interviewed about the tribute for fans at the track over the public address system.
Johnson shared the many personal layers behind the tribute for him. While a young Presley Johnson wasn't a Kyle Busch fan, he grew to respect and admire Busch more and more as he embarked on his own racing career.
"When I was younger, I was a Jimmie Johnson guy," said Johnson. "I'll be honest, hate's a strong word, but I didn't really like Kyle. As I got older, and I started racing, I loved him, man. He said what was on his mind and suffered the consequences later, and he was one heck of a wheelman."
That admiration grew thanks to personal connections through the racing family. That added to the impact for Johnson after Busch's unexpected passing on May 21.
"He drove for a good friend of mine, Austin Teras and Jay Cushman, up in Maine," said Johnson. "Derek Kneeland, his spotter, is a good friend of mine. When you're close to somebody and they pass away, it takes a toll on you, man. It makes you realize how short life is. I'm a believer in get all you can out of a day, dark to dark, burn the candle at both ends. You don't know when God's going to call you home.
"For Kyle, I guess it can be argued his candle got cut a little short. You look back at all the success he's done, all him and his wife have done with their children. They were having issues with pregnancy, and started that foundation and raised all kinds of money. You really see what kind of person he was outside of the helmet and outside of the uniform."
In that spirit, Johnson hopes his tribute will encourage fans to stay up-to-date on routine check-ups and examinations, especially after seeing how important those appointments can be in his own personal experience.
"If I can spend $60 and put two 51s on my car and it spreads awareness to go to the doctor and get checked out. My dad's had heart problems, his dad's had heart problems. I know Kyle didn't pass from heart problems, but if $60 saves one life, I'll spend that $60 every day."
The Disturbing the Peace 100 continued to completion following the rain delay. Johnson finished fifth in the race won by Jake Finch.
-Photo credit: Montgomery Motor Speedway
