RCR reserves Kyle Busch’s No. 8 for son following driver’s death
Austin Hill set to drive No. 33 at Charlotte while Brexton Busch remains in reserve
Richard Childress Racing has announced the temporary retirement of Kyle Busch’s No. 8 Cup Series car, confirming the number will remain reserved for the late driver’s 11-year-old son, Brexton, until he is ready to compete in NASCAR. The decision follows the unexpected death of the 41-year-old two-time Cup Series champion on Thursday.
The organisation stated that the No. 8, which Busch was instrumental in designing, has become synonymous with his career and an important symbol for fans. In a statement, RCR noted that no one could carry the number forward at the same level as Busch, affirming that the car is reserved and ready for Brexton when the time is right.
For the immediate future, Austin Hill is scheduled to replace Busch in the No. 33 car for the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. This race, NASCAR’s longest of the season, will mark the first time the team fields the No. 33 on the Cup Series circuit since Busch’s passing.
Brexton Busch is a third-generation driver who began his career in 2020 at age five in the Beginner Box Stock division. His racing record includes winning the Tulsa Shootout Jr. Sprint Championship last year, as well as 48 races and 107 top-five finishes in 2024 across multiple styles of race cars.
The announcement draws historical precedent from RCR’s response to the death of Dale Earnhardt in 2001. Following Earnhardt’s fatal crash at the Daytona 500, the team changed from the black No. 3 to the white No. 29. The No. 3 eventually returned for the 2014 season when Richard Childress’ grandson, Austin Dillon, took over as the driver.
Kyle Busch was found unresponsive while testing in a Chevrolet racing simulator in Concord, North Carolina, on Wednesday. He was transported to a hospital in Charlotte and remained there overnight before his death was confirmed at his home in Las Vegas on Thursday. His family described the passing as resulting from a severe illness, though the specific medical cause has not been released.
The timeline for when Brexton Busch will be ready to compete in the Cup Series remains undefined, with RCR indicating the number will be held in the foreseeable future. The team continues to navigate the operational changes required following the loss of one of its most decorated drivers.
