Richard Childress Racing, Kyle Busch’s racing team, says it will no longer use the late driver’s No. 8 car, unless his son, Brexton Busch, goes pro and wants it when the time comes.
“Richard Childress Racing has elected to suspend use of the No. 8 and will run the No. 33 at Charlotte Motor Speedway and beyond,” the team said in a statement on Friday, May 22. “Kyle Busch was instrumental in the design of RCR’s stylized No. 8 and it has become synonymous with Kyle and an important symbol for his fans and the NASCAR industry. No one can carry it forward to the level that he did.”
RCR announced that Austin Hill will race in the No. 33 car in the Coca-Cola 600 on Sunday, May 24, in Busch’s place.
The team added, “The No. 8 is reserved and ready for Brexton Busch when he is ready to go NASCAR racing.”
Kyle died at age 41 on Thursday, May 21, shortly after being hospitalized with what his family called a “severe illness.” It was later revealed that he was found unresponsive in a simulator at Charlotte Motor Speedway, where he was preparing for Sunday’s race. 911 audio obtained by TMZ Sports indicated Busch may have been coughing up blood and was experiencing shortness of breath when he regained consciousness.
He is survived by his wife, Samantha Busch, as well as Brexton, 11, and daughter Lennix, 4.
“Our entire NASCAR family is heartbroken by the loss of Kyle Busch,” read a joint statement from NASCAR, the Busch Family and RCR,” released on Thursday. “A future Hall of Famer, Kyle was a rare talent, one who comes along once in a generation. He was fierce, he was passionate, he was immensely skilled and he cared deeply about the sport and fans. Throughout a career that spanned more than two decades, Kyle set records in national series wins, won championships at NASCAR’s highest level and fostered the next generation of drivers as an owner in the Truck Series.”
Brexton, who celebrated his birthday on Monday, May 18, appears to be trying to follow in his father’s footsteps. His parents’ Instagram pages are littered with photos of him on the racing circuit after he took up the sport at age 5.
Kyle’s final Instagram post was a birthday tribute to his son, and led with a Brexton in full racing gear and his family by his side.
“Happy Birthday Brexton!!!” the caption read. “Your mom & I are so proud of who you’re turning out to be! You’re the best kid on & off the track, you amaze us every day. Keep doing what you’re doing and there is no limit to what you’ll accomplish! Love you buddy!”
Brexton has since honored his late father by updating his Instagram profile photo to a portrait of the two embracing on the racetrack.
