RCR holds No. 8 in reserve for Brexton Busch after Kyle’s death

RCR holds No. 8 in reserve for Brexton Busch after Kyle's death

Richard Childress Racing has announced it will not assign the No. 8 car to another driver following the death of two-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Kyle Busch, instead reserving the number for his son, Brexton, when he reaches NASCAR. The team will run the No. 33 at Charlotte Motor Speedway in the interim. Busch, who collapsed at a race simulator and was hospitalised in the Charlotte, North Carolina, area, died shortly after it was confirmed he would not compete in the Coca-Cola 600.

In a statement, RCR said Busch was instrumental in designing the stylised No. 8 and that the number had become synonymous with him and significant to his fanbase. “No one can carry it forward to the level that he did,” the team said, adding that the number stands ready for Brexton whenever he pursues NASCAR competition. Busch had driven the No. 8 for RCR since joining the team in 2023 after fifteen seasons with Joe Gibbs Racing.

The decision echoes a move RCR made following the death of Dale Earnhardt on the final lap of the 2001 Daytona 500. The team retired Earnhardt’s iconic No. 3, replacing it with the No. 29 for Kevin Harvick, before bringing the number back in 2014 when Richard Childress’ grandson Austin Dillon – who had been Busch’s teammate at RCR – took over the car.

With the No. 33 confirmed for Charlotte Motor Speedway, the team’s long-term driver lineup beyond that race has not yet been announced. The timeline for Brexton Busch, who currently competes in junior racing series, entering NASCAR at the Cup level remains open.