Richard Childress Racing Retires Kyle Busch’s No. 8 Car

Richard Childress Racing (RCR) is putting Kyle Busch’s No. 8 Cup Series car on hold. This decision comes as a tribute following Busch’s unexpected death, and the car will stay retired until his son, Brexton, is prepared to drive it. Meanwhile, RCR will utilize the No. 33 car in the Cup Series, starting at the Coca-Cola 600 race.

Austin Hill is taking over Busch’s spot as a driver for this race at Charlotte Motor Speedway, which ranks as NASCAR’s longest event of the season. Kyle Busch, a two-time Cup Series champion, leaves a legacy as both an extraordinary racer and a significant influence on the No. 8’s design within NASCAR.

“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,” shared RCR in a statement. “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.”

Brexton Busch, at 11 years old, is already making his mark in racing. Last year, he captured the Tulsa Shootout Jr. Sprint Championship and received a Golden Driller. Brexton started racing when he was just 5 years old in the Beginner Box Stock division at Millbridge Speedway.

His budding career includes a first victory at Mountain Creek Speedway shortly after he started. As of 2024, Brexton has notched 48 wins, 126 top-10 finishes, and 107 top-5 placements across various racing formats.

RCR has a history of retiring car numbers in solemn circumstances. After Dale Earnhardt’s death in 2001, the team switched from the black No. 3 to the white No. 29. The No. 3 returned in 2014 with Richard Childress’ grandson, Austin Dillon, as its driver.