NASCAR Legend Kyle Busch Dies at Age 41
What’s Happening? NASCAR has confirmed the passing of two-time NASCAR Cup Series Champion Kyle Busch at age 41 following a short…
Richard Childress Racing will halt use of the No. 8 this weekend at Charlotte Motor Speedway in the wake of Kyle Busch’s passing, promising the number to his son, Brexton.
In a post to social media, RCR said that they will “suspend” use of the No. 8, and instead, switch the chartered entries’ number to No. 33. NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series regular Austin Hill will drive the car this weekend.
Busch passed away Thursday afternoon from what his family deemed a “serious illness.” In the aftermath of his passing, there were many calls to swap the number out for, at the very least, this weekend, though this seems like a long-term swap for RCR.
Going forward, the car, which does not have a full-time driver, will use the No. 33. In their post, RCR promised to hold the number for Busch’s 11-year-old son, Brexton, “when he is ready to go NASCAR racing.”
RCR first used the No. 8 in 2019, swapping the number in for their historic No. 31 for driver Daniel Hemric. From 2020 to 2022, Tyler Reddick drove the No. 8 before Busch took over, adding his own flair to the number to make it reflect the letter “B”.
The team has used the No. 33 since 2003 as both a part-time and full-time car number. Since 2022, the car has served as RCR’s occasional third entry in Cup Series races, with Hill and OAP Series teammate Jesse Love driving the car this year.
It is not missed that this move reflects a similar one made in the wake of the passing of Dale Earnhardt, in which RCR swapped the No. 3 for the No. 29 in the days between Earnhardt’s death in the 2001 Daytona 500 and the next race at Rockingham.
What’s Happening? NASCAR has confirmed the passing of two-time NASCAR Cup Series Champion Kyle Busch at age 41 following a short…
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