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Emotions ran high at Charlotte Motor Speedway on Saturday morning. The somber atmosphere was palpable as Kyle Busch’s storied race car emerged from storage and rolled out onto the rain-soaked track.
The car, once instantly recognizable with its blue and white livery and Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen branding, bore a significant change. The number 8, which had long been associated with Busch, was replaced by the number 33, a respectful gesture by Richard Childress Racing as they temporarily retired the iconic number. This decision was made to honor Busch’s legacy and with a forward-looking nod, reserving it for his son Brexton when he is ready to take the wheel.
Adding to the tribute, a black No. 8 decal now adorns the door, a subtle yet poignant reminder of the past. Taking the reins of the car in the interim is Austin Hill, stepping in as the substitute driver. The scene was a blend of reverence and anticipation, reflecting both the weight of history and the promise of what lies ahead.
A black No. 8 decal has been added to the door.
Austin Hill is the substitute driver.
People in the crowd of drivers, teams, racing officials and media were seen wiping their eyes and hugging each other during the somber moment.
“Putting the new numbers on this car was the hardest thing I’ve ever done,” Dalton Good, a graphic installer at Richard Childress Racing, said, according to USA Today.
Busch, 41, died suddenly Thursday after he reportedly was found unresponsive while testing inside the Chevrolet racing simulator at the GM Charlotte Technical Center in Concord, N.C.
Busch’s family revealed Saturday that he died of severe pneumonia that progressed into sepsis, leading to rapid and overwhelming complications.
A 911 call revealed he was coughing up blood on the bathroom floor and experiencing shortness of breath and overheating before being taken to the hospital. He was believed at the time to be dealing with an exacerbated sinus issue.
Busch was the winningest driver in NASCAR history with 234 victories across all three national divisions. He is survived by his wife Samantha, Brexton and four-year-old daughter Lennix.
The status of qualifying races Saturday for Sunday’s 400-lap marathon is uncertain because of the gloomy weather befitting the mood around NASCAR at the moment.
NASCAR CEO Steve O’Donnell called Busch “an American badass.”
“We certainly had our battles but I would give a lot of money to have a few more battles,” O’Donnell said.