Richard Childress(Left)-Image Credit- Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images Kyle and Brexton Busch (Right)- Image Credit- Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Richard Childress(Left)-Image Credit- Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images Kyle and Brexton Busch (Right)- Image Credit- Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Jun 7, 2026, 10:30 AM CUT
Richard Childress Ready to Give Up No. 8 to Rick Hendrick & Co. If Brexton Busch Decides To Race for Rival
In NASCAR, certain car numbers have become a part of the driver's identity. For example, Dale Earnhardt Sr’s legacy remains tied to the iconic No. 3. In the same manner, Kyle Busch’s No. 8 at Richard Childress Racing will forever be associated with him.
After Busch's sudden passing on May 21, RCR announced that it would retire the number until his son, Brexton, is ready to go racing in NASCAR. They put out a statement via their social media, which read:
"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."
During his media availability at Michigan on Saturday, June 6, Richard Childress was questioned about why preserving the number was so important. He replied:
"Kyle designed that style 8 car, and it's not to ever put any pressure on him (Brexton Busch) to run the 8, but it's there for him," Childress said. "We have the stylized number registered or patented, or however they do it."
DARLINGTON, SC - MARCH 22: Austin Dillon 3 Richard Childress Racing BPS/Winchester/Long Beard XR Chevrolet, Kyle Busch 8 Richard Childress Racing BetMGM Chevrolet and Brexton Busch look on prior to the running of the NASCAR, Motorsport, USA Cup Series Goodyear 400 on March 22, 2026, at Darlington Raceway in Darlington, SC. Photo by Jeffrey Vest/Icon Sportswire AUTO: MAR 22 NASCAR Cup Series Goodyear 400 EDITORIAL USE ONLY Icon260322198
DARLINGTON, SC - MARCH 22: Austin Dillon 3 Richard Childress Racing BPS/Winchester/Long Beard XR Chevrolet, Kyle Busch 8 Richard Childress Racing BetMGM Chevrolet and Brexton Busch look on prior to the running of the NASCAR, Motorsport, USA Cup Series Goodyear 400 on March 22, 2026, at Darlington Raceway in Darlington, SC. Photo by Jeffrey Vest/Icon Sportswire AUTO: MAR 22 NASCAR Cup Series Goodyear 400 EDITORIAL USE ONLY Icon260322198
Elaborating on how RCR is ready to share the stylized No. 8 with a rival like Hendrick Motorsports if that is the team Brexton decides to drive for, the 80-year-old added:
"And we saved it for Brexton if he ever comes and says, 'Hey, I'm going to go drive for Rick Hendricks. I want to use that 8.' That's what I was saying. We're saving it that stylized for him for his future if he wants to run it."
Brexton Busch has been slowly climbing up the racing ladder one championship at a time. He won the Tulsa Shootout Jr. Sprint Championship to win his maiden Golden Driller last year. The third-generation Busch started his racing career in 2020 at the age of five. In his short career, Busch has won over 150 races.
He was seen back at the track last week after Kyle Busch’s private memorial.
Brexton Busch Returns to the Race Track
After his father's sudden demise, Busch Junior was seen racing for the first time earlier this week.
The 11-year-old was seen racing in his signature No. 18 green Legends Car at Charlotte Motor Speedway on Tuesday. He participated in the Cook Out Summer Shootout practice session, as the first round is all set to take place on June 8.
The Speedway posted a picture of the young Busch in his car and captioned it with "A little Shootout shakedown." The fans quickly took to the comment section to show their support and admiration for Brexton.
Brexton Busch’s comeback at the Charlotte Motor Speedway holds a lot of weight, as Kyle Busch was set to race in the Coca-Cola 600 at the track on May 24. However, he was hospitalized on May 21 and passed away just a few hours later.
Read more at the RFK Racing Digest!
Written by
Chionia Libania Colaco
Edited by
Yash Kotak