Kyle Busch Was Set To Return To RCR For 2027 Season Prior To Tragic Death

The NASCAR community is still mourning the sudden loss of two-time Cup Series champion Kyle Busch.

Busch died on May 21 due to severe pneumonia that progressed into sepsis. Before he was rushed to the hospital, the 41-year-old driver was found unresponsive while in the Chevrolet racing simulator in Concord, North Carolina.

Shortly after Busch's death was made public, Richard Childress Racing announced that his No. 8 vehicle will be exclusively reserved for his 11-year-old son Brexton.

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

Team owner Richard Childress opened about RCR's plans this Saturday at Michigan International Speedway.

Childress revealed that Busch was set to return to RCR for the 2027 season. They would've broke the news about a contract extension this weekend in Michigan.

"We had a great conversation, talking about how he said, ‘You give me cars like you've gave me the last three weeks,' he said, ‘I will make the Chase this year,'" Childress said. "I mean, we were that confident. Both of us had a lot of confidence in us."

NASCAR fans devastated by this update from RCR.

Busch's fans are understandably heartbroken over this Saturday's announcement. They wanted nothing more than to see their favorite driver back on Victory Lane.

"Man ... just terrible. KB was starting to slowly turn the corner and RCR was building fast(er) cars again," one fan wrote on X. "I still feel he had some wins left in him."

"As much as I was hoping someone would "rescue" Kyle from RCR… this adds to the hurt, knowing Kyle was feeling confident about what they could do and wanted to stay," a second fan said. "I trusted his judgement over my own."

"I'm so sad again," another fan commented. "I'm gonna have to log off this app now."

Although nothing will ease the pain of losing an icon this early, NASCAR fans should take great pride remembering Busch as a fierce competitor. Less than a week before his death, he made his fans smile by winning the Ecosave 200 at Dover Motor Speedway.

Copyright The Arena Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved

This story was originally published June 6, 2026 at 10:53 AM.