Kyle Busch’s No. 8 race car temporarily retired after his sudden death
It comes as the Nascar legend’s cause of death was revealed Saturday
Richard Childress Racing has announced the temporary retirement of Kyle Busch’s iconic No. 8 Cup Series car following the unexpected death of the 41-year-old driver. The team intends for the number to remain out of circulation until Busch's 11-year-old son, Brexton, is old enough to take the wheel himself.
Beginning with Sunday night's Coca-Cola 600, RCR will field the No. 33 car on the Cup Series circuit. Austin Hill is slated to replace Busch, a two-time Cup Series champion, at Charlotte Motor Speedway for NASCAR 's longest race of the season.
Busch died unexpectedly on Thursday. Busch died after severe pneumonia progressed into sepsis , resulting in rapid and overwhelming associated complications, according to a statement released by his family Saturday. Brexton Busch is already making a name for himself in the racing world, having secured the Tulsa Shootout Jr.
Sprint Championship last year, earning his first career Golden Driller trophy. The late Kyle Busch and his son greet fans before a NASCAR Cup Series auto race at Talladega Superspeedway, April 23, 2023 (AP Photo/Butch Dill) In a poignant statement, RCR confirmed their decision: "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.