Kyle Busch’s name has been removed from the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series points standings.
The two-time NASCAR Cup champion who died on May 21 was 23rd with 217 points in the standings through 12 races following the May 10 race at Watkins Glen. His eighth-place finish at Watkins Glen was Busch’s best since finishing fifth in the final race of the 2025 season at Phoenix. It was his second top-10 finish in 2026.
Advertisement
Busch died at 41 while preparing for the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte, North Carolina. He was spending time in the race simulator when he became ill and was rushed to a hospital. Busch died from severe pneumonia that progressed into sepsis, according to his family.
1 / 21
See the Kyle Busch tributes from Coca-Cola 600 along with best racing photos
CONCORD, NORTH CAROLINA – MAY 24: A general view of fans at the Kyle Busch (RCR) merchandise hauler on the midway prior to the NASCAR Cup Series Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway on May 24, 2026 in Concord, North Carolina. (Photo by David Jensen/Getty Images)
(David Jensen, Getty Images)
1 / 21
See the Kyle Busch tributes from Coca-Cola 600 along with best racing photos
CONCORD, NORTH CAROLINA – MAY 24: A general view of fans at the Kyle Busch (RCR) merchandise hauler on the midway prior to the NASCAR Cup Series Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway on May 24, 2026 in Concord, North Carolina. (Photo by David Jensen/Getty Images)
(David Jensen, Getty Images)
2 / 21
See the Kyle Busch tributes from Coca-Cola 600 along with best racing photos
CONCORD, NORTH CAROLINA – MAY 24: A detail view of a sign notifying guest “All Diecast Are Sold Out” at the Kyle Busch (RCR) merchandise hauler on the midway prior to the NASCAR Cup Series Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway on May 24, 2026 in Concord, North Carolina. (Photo by David Jensen/Getty Images)
(David Jensen, Getty Images)
3 / 21
See the Kyle Busch tributes from Coca-Cola 600 along with best racing photos
CONCORD, NORTH CAROLINA – MAY 24: Crew members prepare the #33 Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen Chevrolet, driven by Austin Hill after the passing of Kyle Busch in the garage area prior to the NASCAR Cup Series Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway on May 24, 2026 in Concord, North Carolina. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
(Jonathan Bachman, Getty Images)
4 / 21
See the Kyle Busch tributes from Coca-Cola 600 along with best racing photos
CONCORD, NORTH CAROLINA – MAY 24: A detail view of a sign notifying guest a portion of merchandise sales will benefit the “Bundle of Joy Fund” at the Kyle Busch (RCR) merchandise hauler on the midway prior to the NASCAR Cup Series Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway on May 24, 2026 in Concord, North Carolina. (Photo by David Jensen/Getty Images)
(David Jensen, Getty Images)
5 / 21
See the Kyle Busch tributes from Coca-Cola 600 along with best racing photos
CONCORD, NORTH CAROLINA – MAY 24: Brad Paisley performs onstage during pre-race ceremonies prior to the NASCAR Cup Series Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway on May 24, 2026 in Concord, North Carolina. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
(Jonathan Bachman, Getty Images)
6 / 21
See the Kyle Busch tributes from Coca-Cola 600 along with best racing photos
CONCORD, NORTH CAROLINA – MAY 24: Brad Paisley performs onstage during pre-race ceremonies prior to the NASCAR Cup Series Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway on May 24, 2026 in Concord, North Carolina. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
(Jonathan Bachman, Getty Images)
7 / 21
See the Kyle Busch tributes from Coca-Cola 600 along with best racing photos
CONCORD, NORTH CAROLINA – MAY 24: A young NASCAR fans sits on the steps of the #8 hauler after Kyle Busch passed away suddenly at the age of 41, prior to the NASCAR Cup Series Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway on May 24, 2026 in Concord, North Carolina. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
(Jonathan Bachman, Getty Images)
8 / 21
See the Kyle Busch tributes from Coca-Cola 600 along with best racing photos
CONCORD, NORTH CAROLINA – MAY 24: Crew members push the #33 Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen Chevrolet, driven by Austin Hill after the passing of Kyle Busch, through the garage area prior to the NASCAR Cup Series Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway on May 24, 2026 in Concord, North Carolina. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
(Jonathan Bachman, Getty Images)
9 / 21
See the Kyle Busch tributes from Coca-Cola 600 along with best racing photos
CONCORD, NORTH CAROLINA – MAY 24: NASCAR fans pose with a photograph of Kyle Busch who passed away suddenly at the age of 41, prior to the NASCAR Cup Series Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway on May 24, 2026 in Concord, North Carolina. (Photo by Krista Jasso/Getty Images)
(Krista Jasso, Getty Images)
10 / 21
See the Kyle Busch tributes from Coca-Cola 600 along with best racing photos
CONCORD, NORTH CAROLINA – MAY 24: A general view of a photograph of Kyle Busch who passed away suddenly at the age of 41, at the #88 hauler prior to the NASCAR Cup Series Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway on May 24, 2026 in Concord, North Carolina. (Photo by Krista Jasso/Getty Images)
(Krista Jasso, Getty Images)
11 / 21
See the Kyle Busch tributes from Coca-Cola 600 along with best racing photos
CONCORD, NORTH CAROLINA – MAY 24: NASCAR fans view the #33 Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen Chevrolet, driven by Austin Hill after the passing of Kyle Busch, on the grid prior to the NASCAR Cup Series Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway on May 24, 2026 in Concord, North Carolina. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
(Jonathan Bachman, Getty Images)
12 / 21
See the Kyle Busch tributes from Coca-Cola 600 along with best racing photos
CONCORD, NORTH CAROLINA – MAY 24: A general view of fans at the Kyle Busch (RCR) merchandise hauler on the midway prior to the NASCAR Cup Series Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway on May 24, 2026 in Concord, North Carolina. (Photo by David Jensen/Getty Images)
(David Jensen, Getty Images)
13 / 21
See the Kyle Busch tributes from Coca-Cola 600 along with best racing photos
CONCORD, NORTH CAROLINA – MAY 24: NASCAR fans view the #33 Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen Chevrolet, driven by Austin Hill after the passing of Kyle Busch, on the grid prior to the NASCAR Cup Series Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway on May 24, 2026 in Concord, North Carolina. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
(Jonathan Bachman, Getty Images)
14 / 21
See the Kyle Busch tributes from Coca-Cola 600 along with best racing photos
CONCORD, NORTH CAROLINA – MAY 24: Crew members prepare the #33 Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen Chevrolet, driven by Austin Hill after the passing of Kyle Busch in the garage area prior to the NASCAR Cup Series Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway on May 24, 2026 in Concord, North Carolina. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
(Jonathan Bachman, Getty Images)
15 / 21
See the Kyle Busch tributes from Coca-Cola 600 along with best racing photos
CONCORD, NORTH CAROLINA – MAY 24: Crew members push the #33 Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen Chevrolet, driven by Austin Hill after the passing of Kyle Busch, onto the grid prior to the NASCAR Cup Series Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway on May 24, 2026 in Concord, North Carolina. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
(Jonathan Bachman, Getty Images)
16 / 21
See the Kyle Busch tributes from Coca-Cola 600 along with best racing photos
CONCORD, NORTH CAROLINA – MAY 24: Crew members push the #33 Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen Chevrolet, driven by Austin Hill after the passing of Kyle Busch, onto the grid prior to the NASCAR Cup Series Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway on May 24, 2026 in Concord, North Carolina. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
(Jonathan Bachman, Getty Images)
17 / 21
See the Kyle Busch tributes from Coca-Cola 600 along with best racing photos
CONCORD, NORTH CAROLINA – MAY 24: A general view of the 101st Combat Aviation Brigade UH-60 Blackhawk aerial demonstration prior to the NASCAR Cup Series Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway on May 24, 2026 in Concord, North Carolina. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
(Jonathan Bachman, Getty Images)
18 / 21
See the Kyle Busch tributes from Coca-Cola 600 along with best racing photos
CONCORD, NORTH CAROLINA – MAY 24: Crew members of the #33 Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen Chevrolet, driven by Austin Hill after the passing of Kyle Busch, wait on the grid prior to the NASCAR Cup Series Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway on May 24, 2026 in Concord, North Carolina. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
(Jonathan Bachman, Getty Images)
19 / 21
See the Kyle Busch tributes from Coca-Cola 600 along with best racing photos
CONCORD, NORTH CAROLINA – MAY 24: A crew members of the #33 Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen Chevrolet, driven by Austin Hill after the passing of Kyle Busch, and a NASCAR Official shake hands on the grid prior to the NASCAR Cup Series Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway on May 24, 2026 in Concord, North Carolina. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
(Jonathan Bachman, Getty Images)
20 / 21
See the Kyle Busch tributes from Coca-Cola 600 along with best racing photos
CONCORD, NORTH CAROLINA – MAY 24: NASCAR Chief Executive Officer Steve O’Donnell embraces Kyle Busch’s mother, Gaye Busch during the remembrance ceremony for Kyle Busch, who passed away suddenly at the age of 41, his father, Tom Busch (L) brother, NASCAR Hall of Famer Kurt Busch and Lyda Moore on the grid prior to the NASCAR Cup Series Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway on May 24, 2026 in Concord, North Carolina. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
(Jonathan Bachman, Getty Images)
21 / 21
See the Kyle Busch tributes from Coca-Cola 600 along with best racing photos
CONCORD, NORTH CAROLINA – MAY 24: A NASCAR fan displays a #8 flag during the remembrance ceremony for Kyle Busch, who passed away suddenly at the age of 41, from the grandstands prior to the NASCAR Cup Series Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway on May 24, 2026 in Concord, North Carolina. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
(Jonathan Bachman, Getty Images)
Busch raced after Watkins Glen on May 17 at the NASCAR All-Star Race in Dover, where he finished 17th, but points are not awarded in All-Star races.
According to Fox Sports, the decision to remove Busch from the official points standings was made after consulting his Richard Childress Racing team. A point of that discussion was the impact of seeing Busch’s name drop in the standings, throughout the season, and the effect that would have on those close to him and race fans.
RCR driver Austin Hill replaced Busch in the No. 33 Chevrolet in the Coca-Cola 600 and will be back in the car for the Cracker Barrel 400 at Nashville Superspeedway on May 31. Busch finished 12th at Nashville in 2025.
Advertisement
Busch is NASCAR’s winningest driver of all-time across its top three national touring series with 234 combined victories. His 63 wins in the Cup Series rank ninth all-time.
Reach Mike Organ at 615-259-8021 or on X @MikeOrganWriter.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Kyle Busch is no longer listed in the NASCAR points standings. Here’s why
