NASCAR Star Kyle Busch
TALLADEGA, AL - APRIL 26: #8 Kyle Busch, Richard Childress Racing, Nicokick Chevrolet during qualifying for the NASCAR Cup Series Jack Link's 500 race on April 26, 2025 at the Talladega Superspeedway in Eastaboga, Alabama. (Photo by David J. Griffin/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
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NASCAR Team Pays Emotional Tribute to Kyle Busch Following His Tragic Death

Richard Childress Racing have paid an emotional tribute to NASCAR star Kyle Busch after his sudden death, retiring his iconic No. 8 car.

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Countless tributes have poured in for NASCAR star Kyle Busch following his sudden death at the age of 41.

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One of the most emotional tributes came from Richard Childress Racing, Busch's racing team.

On Friday, May 22, the organization announced that it would suspend use of Busch's iconic No. 8 car.

The number has now been reserved for future use by Busch's 11-year-old son, Brexton Busch.

Kyle Busch Honored by Richard Childress Racing

Richard Childress Racing shared the announcement on social media, where the post quickly spread throughout the racing world.

On X, the tribute amassed more than 3.7 million views as fans continued mourning Busch's death.

"Richard Childress Racing has elected to suspend use of the No. 8 and will run the No. 33 at Charlotte Motor Speedway and beyond," the statement 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."

"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."

Busch joined Richard Childress Racing in 2023 after spending 15 years with Joe Gibbs Racing.

He now becomes just the second late NASCAR driver honored with a retired number by the organization.

Following the death of Dale Earnhardt on the final lap of the 2001 Daytona 500, Richard Childress Racing retired the No. 3 car and replaced it with No. 29.

NASCAR World Continues Mourning Busch's Sudden Death

Busch married his wife, Samantha Busch, on New Year's Eve in 2021.

The couple shared two children together, Brexton and a four-year-old daughter, Lennix.

The NASCAR star died suddenly on Thursday, just hours after officials announced he had been hospitalized with a "severe illness."

Authorities have not yet publicly confirmed an official cause of death.

However, Busch had reportedly been battling what was described as a "sinus cold" in the days leading up to his death.

During the closing stages of the race at Watkins Glen International on May 10, Busch asked his team over the radio to arrange medical assistance after the event.

Before last Sunday's All-Star Race, Busch admitted he still felt unwell.

He said that it was "still not great," while revealing he had been dealing with a "pretty substantial" cough.

At the time of his death, Busch competed in his 22nd full-time NASCAR Cup Series season, where he won two championships and recorded 63 career race victories.