Richard Childress Racing is changing the No. 8 NASCAR Cup Series Chevrolet car number to the No. 33 in the wake of Kyle Busch’s death, the team announced on May 22.
Busch died on May 21 after being hospitalized with a severe illness. Busch was coughing up blood and had shortness of breath when emergency responders were requested at a General Motors facility in Concord, North Carolina on May 20, according to a 911 call obtained by USA TODAY.
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Austin Hill, an O’Reilly Auto Parts Series full-time driver with RCR, will fill in for the Coca-Cola 600 on May 24 at Charlotte.
“Richard Childress Racing has elected to suspend use of the No. 8 and will run the No. 33 at Charlotte Motor Speedway and beyond,” RCR said in a statement on social media. “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.”
RCR’s statement notes that the No. 8 is “reserved and ready” for Busch’s son Brexton when Brexton is ready to race in NASCAR. Brexton Busch, 11, has been racing since age 5, currently driving legend and Jr. late model cars.
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Kyle Busch, NASCAR driver, 2-time champion, brother of Kurt Busch, dad of Brexton
May 3, 2026; Fort Worth, Texas, USA; Richard Childress Racing driver Kyle Busch (8) is introduced before the start of the 2026 Wurth 400 cup race at Texas Motor Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
(Jerome Miron, Jerome Miron-Imagn Images)
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Kyle Busch, NASCAR driver, 2-time champion, brother of Kurt Busch, dad of Brexton
May 3, 2026; Fort Worth, Texas, USA; Richard Childress Racing driver Kyle Busch (8) is introduced before the start of the 2026 Wurth 400 cup race at Texas Motor Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
(Jerome Miron, Jerome Miron-Imagn Images)
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Kyle Busch, NASCAR driver, 2-time champion, brother of Kurt Busch, dad of Brexton
BROOKLYN, MICHIGAN – JUNE 08: Kyle Busch, driver of the #8 BetMGM Chevrolet, stands on the grid during pre-race ceremonies prior to the NASCAR Cup Series FireKeepers Casino 400 at Michigan International Speedway on June 08, 2025 in Brooklyn, Michigan. (Photo by Meg Oliphant/Getty Images)
(Meg Oliphant, Getty Images)
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Kyle Busch, NASCAR driver, 2-time champion, brother of Kurt Busch, dad of Brexton
May 24, 2025; Concord, North Carolina, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver Kyle Busch (8) during qualifying at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images
(Jim Dedmon, Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images)
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Kyle Busch, NASCAR driver, 2-time champion, brother of Kurt Busch, dad of Brexton
Feb 13, 2025; Daytona Beach, Florida, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver Kyle Busch (8) during driver introductions for the Duels at Daytona International Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Peter Casey-Imagn Images
(Peter Casey, Peter Casey-Imagn Images)
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Kyle Busch, NASCAR driver, 2-time champion, brother of Kurt Busch, dad of Brexton
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – NOVEMBER 24: (L-R) NASCAR driver Kyle Busch, his son Brexton Busch and wife Samantha Busch pose for photos on the Las Vegas Raiders’ sideline before a game between the Raiders and the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium on November 24, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Broncos defeated the Raiders 29-19. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
(Ethan Miller, Getty Images)
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Kyle Busch’s best NASCAR Nashville Superspeedway moments, awards
NASCAR Cup Series driver Kyle Busch (8) exits his car after a wreck during the Ally 400 at Nashville Superspeedway in Lebanon, Tenn., Sunday, June 30, 2024.
(Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean)
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Kyle Busch, NASCAR driver, 2-time champion, brother of Kurt Busch, dad of Brexton
Apr 28, 2024; Dover, Delaware, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver Kyle Busch (left) stands with his crew chief Randall Burdett (right) on pit road prior to the Wurth 400 at Dover Motor Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O’Haren-USA TODAY Sports
(Matthew O’Haren, Matthew O’Haren-USA TODAY Sports)
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Kyle Busch, NASCAR driver, 2-time champion, brother of Kurt Busch, dad of Brexton
Apr 21, 2024; Talladega, Alabama, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver Kyle Busch (8) before the GEICO 500 at Talladega Superspeedway. Mandatory Credit: Vasha Hunt-USA TODAY Sports
(Vasha Hunt, Vasha Hunt-USA TODAY Sports)
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Kyle Busch, NASCAR driver, 2-time champion, brother of Kurt Busch, dad of Brexton
Mar 30, 2024; Richmond, Virginia, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver Kyle Busch (8) during practice for the Toyota Owners 400 at Richmond Raceway. Mandatory Credit: Peter Casey-USA TODAY Sports
(USA TODAY)
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Kyle Busch, NASCAR driver, 2-time champion, brother of Kurt Busch, dad of Brexton
Feb 3, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver Kyle Busch (8) before qualifying for the Clash at the Coliseum at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Jason Parkhurst-USA TODAY Sports
(Jason Parkhurst, Jason Parkhurst-USA TODAY Sports)
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Kyle Busch, NASCAR driver, 2-time champion, brother of Kurt Busch, dad of Brexton
Nov 4, 2023; Avondale, Arizona, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver Kyle Busch during qualifying for the NASCAR Championship Race at Phoenix Raceway. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
(Motorsports Wire)
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Kyle Busch, NASCAR driver, 2-time champion, brother of Kurt Busch, dad of Brexton
NASCAR Cup Series driver Kyle Busch (8) signs autographs Sunday, Aug. 13, 2023, during the Verizon 200 at the Brickyard at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
(Adam Cairns/Indianapolis Star)
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Kyle Busch, NASCAR driver, 2-time champion, brother of Kurt Busch, dad of Brexton
NASCAR Cup Series driver Kyle Busch races during the Ally 400 race at Nashville Superspeedway in Lebanon, Tenn., Sunday, June 25, 2023.
(Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean)
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Kyle Busch’s best NASCAR Nashville Superspeedway moments, awards
NASCAR Cup Series driver Kyle Busch is introduced before the Ally 400 race at Nashville Superspeedway in Lebanon, Tenn., Sunday, June 25, 2023.
(Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean)
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Kyle Busch, NASCAR driver, 2-time champion, brother of Kurt Busch, dad of Brexton
Feb. 26: Kyle Busch celebrates after winning the Pala Casino 400 at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, California.
(Gary A. Vasquez, USA TODAY Sports)
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Kyle Busch, NASCAR driver, 2-time champion, brother of Kurt Busch, dad of Brexton
Feb 4, 2023; Los Angeles, California, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver Kyle Busch (8) before practice for the Busch Light Clash at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
(Gary A. Vasquez, Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports)
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Kyle Busch, NASCAR driver, 2-time champion, brother of Kurt Busch, dad of Brexton
Aug 21, 2022; Watkins Glen, New York, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver Kyle Busch prior to the Go Bowling at The Glen at Watkins Glen International. Mandatory Credit: Matthew OHaren-USA TODAY Sports
(Matthew OHaren, Matthew OHaren-USA TODAY Sports)
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Kyle Busch, NASCAR driver, 2-time champion, brother of Kurt Busch, dad of Brexton
NASCAR Cup Series driver Kyle Busch (18) climbs into his car during the 29th annual Verizon 200 at the Brickyard on Sunday, July 31, 2022 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indianapolis.
(Grace Hollars/IndyStar)
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Kyle Busch, NASCAR driver, 2-time champion, brother of Kurt Busch, dad of Brexton
NASCAR Cup Series driver Kyle Busch (18) prepares to get in his car Saturday, July 30, 2022, during qualifying for the Verizon 200 at the Brickyard at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
(Kristin Enzor/For IndyStar)
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Kyle Busch, NASCAR driver, 2-time champion, brother of Kurt Busch, dad of Brexton
NASCAR Cup Series driver Kyle Busch (18) exits his car after a lightning delay during the Ally 400 at the Nashville Superspeedway in Lebanon, Tenn., Sunday, June 26, 2022.
(Andrew Nelles / Tennessean.com)
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Kyle Busch’s best NASCAR Nashville Superspeedway moments, awards
NASCAR driver Kyle Busch, left, with wife Samantha and son Brexton pose on the red carpet for the “Rowdy” movie at the Regal Opry Mills Stadium 20 of the Opry Mill Mall on Jun 23, 2022.
(Alan Poizner / For The Tennessean)
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Kyle Busch’s best NASCAR Nashville Superspeedway moments, awards
Kyle Busch drives during the NASCAR Burnouts on Broadway event on Lower Broadway in Nashville, Tenn., Wednesday, Dec. 1, 2021.
(Andrew Nelles / Tennessean.com)
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Kyle Busch’s best NASCAR Nashville Superspeedway moments, awards
NASCAR driver Kyle Busch reacts after finishing a burnout in the Burnouts on Broadway competition Wednesday, December 1, 2021, during NASCAR Champion’s Week in Nashville, Tenn.
(Mark Zaleski/ For The Tennessean)
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Kyle Busch, NASCAR driver, 2-time champion, brother of Kurt Busch, dad of Brexton
Team owner Rick Hendrick talks with NASCAR Cup Series driver Kyle Busch (18) and Hendrick driver Kyle Larson (5) during the Bank of America Roval 400 at Charlotte Motor Speedway Road Course.
(Jim Dedmon, USA TODAY Sports)
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Kyle Busch, NASCAR driver, 2-time champion, brother of Kurt Busch, dad of Brexton
Kyle Busch (18) in his garage during practice for the NASCAR Cup Series Verizon 200 at the Brickyard on Saturday, Aug. 14, 2021, at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
(Jenna Watson/IndyStar)
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Kyle Busch, NASCAR driver, 2-time champion, brother of Kurt Busch, dad of Brexton
NASCAR Xfinity Series driver Kyle Busch (54) celebrates in victory lane after winning the Tennessee Lottery 250 NASCAR Xfinity Series race at the Nashville Superspeedway in Lebanon, Tenn., Saturday, June 19, 2021.
(Andrew Nelles / Tennessean.com)
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Kyle Busch’s best NASCAR Nashville Superspeedway moments, awards
NASCAR Cup Series driver Kyle Busch (18) enters his car for the NASCAR Cup Series Ally 400 race at the Nashville Superspeedway in Lebanon, Tenn., Sunday, June 20, 2021.
(Andrew Nelles / Tennessean.com)
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Kyle Busch, NASCAR driver, 2-time champion, brother of Kurt Busch, dad of Brexton
NASCAR Cup Series driver Kyle Busch (18) races during the NASCAR Cup Series Ally 400 race at the Nashville Superspeedway in Lebanon, Tenn., Sunday, June 20, 2021.
(Andrew Nelles / Tennessean.com)
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Kyle Busch’s best NASCAR Nashville Superspeedway moments, awards
NASCAR Xfinity Series driver Kyle Busch (54) celebrates winning the Tennessee Lottery 250 NASCAR Xfinity Series race at the Nashville Superspeedway in Lebanon, Tenn., Saturday, June 19, 2021.
(Andrew Nelles / Tennessean.com)
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Kyle Busch, NASCAR driver, 2-time champion, brother of Kurt Busch, dad of Brexton
NASCAR Xfinity Series driver Kyle Busch (54) celebrates with a burnout after winning the Tennessee Lottery 250 NASCAR Xfinity Series race at the Nashville Superspeedway in Lebanon, Tenn., Saturday, June 19, 2021.
(Andrew Nelles / Tennessean.com)
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Kyle Busch, NASCAR driver, 2-time champion, brother of Kurt Busch, dad of Brexton
NASCAR Xfinity Series driver Kyle Busch (54) celebrates in victory lane after winning the Tennessee Lottery 250 NASCAR Xfinity Series race at the Nashville Superspeedway in Lebanon, Tenn., Saturday, June 19, 2021.
(Andrew Nelles / Tennessean.com)
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Kyle Busch’s best NASCAR Nashville Superspeedway moments, awards
NASCAR Xfinity Series driver Kyle Busch (54) and his family participate in a prayer before the Tennessee Lottery 250 NASCAR Xfinity Series race at the Nashville Superspeedway in Lebanon, Tenn., Saturday, June 19, 2021.
(Andrew Nelles / Tennessean.com)
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Kyle Busch’s best NASCAR Nashville Superspeedway moments, awards
NASCAR Xfinity Series driver Kyle Busch (54) celebrates in victory lane with his son, Brexton, after winning the Tennessee Lottery 250 NASCAR Xfinity Series race at the Nashville Superspeedway in Lebanon, Tenn., Saturday, June 19, 2021.
(Andrew Nelles / Tennessean.com)
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Kyle Busch, NASCAR driver, 2-time champion, brother of Kurt Busch, dad of Brexton
Kyle Busch greets the crowd after doing a burnout during the NASCAR Burnouts on Broadway event in downtown Nashville on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2019.
(Andrew Nelles / Tennessean.com)
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Kyle Busch, NASCAR driver, 2-time champion, brother of Kurt Busch, dad of Brexton
Kyle Busch gestures during the NASCAR Burnouts on Broadway event in downtown Nashville, Tenn., Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2019.
(Andrew Nelles / Tennessean.com)
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Kyle Busch, NASCAR driver, 2-time champion, brother of Kurt Busch, dad of Brexton
Kyle Busch accepts the Champion Trophy Award during the 2019 NASCAR Cup Series Awards at Music City Center Thursday, Dec. 5, 2019 in Nashville, Tenn.
(George Walker IV / Tennessean.com)
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Kyle Busch’s best NASCAR Nashville Superspeedway moments, awards
Kyle Busch bows to the fans during the NASCAR Burnouts on Broadway event in downtown Nashville, Tenn., Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2019.
(Andrew Nelles / Tennessean.com)
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Kyle Busch, NASCAR driver, 2-time champion, brother of Kurt Busch, dad of Brexton
Kyle Busch must secure one of two remaining spots in the finale if he is to have a shot at defending his 2015 Sprint Cup title.
(Michael Thomas Shroyer, USA TODAY Sports)
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Kyle Busch, NASCAR driver, 2-time champion, brother of Kurt Busch, dad of Brexton
Kyle Busch (18) celebrates winning the 2015 NASCAR Sprint Cup Championship at Homestead-Miami Speedway on Nov. 22.
(Jasen Vinlove, USA TODAY Sports)
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Kyle Busch, NASCAR driver, 2-time champion, brother of Kurt Busch, dad of Brexton
Nov 10, 2013; Avondale, AZ, USA; Sprint Cup Series driver Kyle Busch (18) and driver Dale Earnhardt Jr. (88) before the AdvoCare 500 race at Phoenix International Raceway. Busch finishes in seventh place and Earnhardt finishes in fourth place. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports ORG XMIT: USATSI-128842 ORIG FILE ID: 20131110_sal_an4_283.JPG
(Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports)
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Kyle Busch’s best NASCAR Nashville Superspeedway moments, awards
NASCAR star Kyle Busch climbs into his race car before the start of the CRA Budweiser 150 Presented by: The Kyle Busch Foundation at the Fairgrounds Speedway in Nashville Sunday, August 23, 2009.
(Sanford Myers, The Tennessean)
RCR made a similar move 25 years ago, when Dale Earnhardt’s No. 3 was changed to No. 29 after Earnhardt’s death as Kevin Harvick stepped into the car.
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Richard Childress Racing runs two full-time Cup Series race teams and two O’Reilly Auto Parts Series race teams.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Richard Childress Racing changing No. 8 NASCAR Cup car number following Kyle Busch’s death
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