Richard Childress Racing Retires No. 8 Car for Brexton Busch

Richard Childress Racing (RCR) announced the temporary retirement of Kyle Busch’s No. 8 Cup Series car. This decision follows the unexpected passing of the 41-year-old driver last Thursday. The cause of death remains undisclosed.

In place of the No. 8 car, RCR will run the No. 33 on the Cup Series circuit starting Sunday at the Coca-Cola 600. Austin Hill will drive for NASCAR’s longest race at Charlotte Motor Speedway, succeeding Busch, a two-time Cup Series champion.

Kyle Busch was instrumental in the design of RCR’s stylized No. 8, making it synonymous with his name and a significant symbol for fans and the NASCAR community, said RCR in a statement. It is reserved for Brexton Busch when he is ready to race in NASCAR.

Brexton Busch, only 11 years old, has already made a name in racing. He won the Tulsa Shootout Jr. Sprint Championship last year, marking his first career Golden Driller. Starting his racing career at the tender age of 5, Brexton raced in the Beginner Box Stock division at Millbridge Speedway, North Carolina. His first victory came a month later at Mountain Creek Speedway.

In 2024, Brexton secured 48 wins, 126 top-10 finishes, and 107 top-5 finishes across various race cars, showcasing his potential as a future NASCAR driver.

RCR has a history of changing car numbers in response to significant events. After Dale Earnhardt’s fatal crash in 2001, they transitioned from the black No. 3 to the white No. 29. The No. 3 made a comeback in the 2014 season with Austin Dillon, Richard Childress’ grandson, behind the wheel.