Richard Childress Racing announced Friday it will permanently retire the No. 8 Chevrolet following the death of driver Kyle Busch, who passed away at 41 after battling a serious illness.
However, the racing team plans to hold the number for potential future use by Busch’s 11-year-old son, Brexton Busch, should he decide to pursue NASCAR competition.
In an official statement, RCR explained: “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. The No. 8 is reserved and ready for Brexton Busch when he is ready to go NASCAR racing.”
The young Busch has already shown promise in motorsports, capturing the Tulsa Shootout Jr. Sprint Championship last year.
Beginning with Sunday’s Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway, RCR will field the No. 33 Chevrolet with driver Austin Hill in place of the retired No. 8.
Kyle Busch leaves behind his wife Samantha and two children: Brexton and 4-year-old daughter Lennix.
During his racing career, Busch claimed NASCAR Cup Series titles in 2015 and 2019. He holds the all-time record with 234 wins across NASCAR’s three premier divisions, including 63 Cup Series victories.
