Kyle Busch died on Thursday near Charlotte Motor Speedway, where he was scheduled to race, at age 41 [1, 2]. He collapsed a day earlier in a race simulator and was hospitalized before his death was announced [2].
Busch won eight NASCAR Truck Series races at Charlotte and entered the event 16 times in his career [1]. He spent 15 years with Joe Gibbs Racing before joining Richard Childress Racing (RCR) in 2023 [2].
On Friday night, the NASCAR Truck Series race at Charlotte became a memorial event for Busch. His No. 7 truck driven by Corey Day carried Busch’s name, and Kyle Busch Motorsports decals appeared on several competing trucks [1].
Richard Childress Racing announced it will suspend use of the No. 8 car, which Busch drove in 2023 and beyond. Instead, RCR will field the No. 33 at Charlotte and future races [1, 2]. RCR said, "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" [2]. Brexton Busch, Kyle’s 11-year-old son, is expected to use the number when he starts racing [1, 2].
The decision echoes RCR’s past action of sidelining Dale Earnhardt’s No. 3 car after Earnhardt’s death in 2001 [2].
Kyle Busch’s death led to his withdrawal from the upcoming Coca-Cola 600 race at Charlotte, which was scheduled for the day after his announcement [2]. The No. 8 car suspension and memorial race were the most recent concrete steps following his passing.
