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Kyle Busch Hospitalized, Misses Coca-Cola 600; Austin Hill Substitutes

5/21/2026

27 5 Full Breakdown

Summary

Kyle Busch Misses Race

Kyle Busch will miss the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte after being hospitalized for a severe illness.
His family posted Thursday that he is under treatment and will not race.
Richard Childress Racing said the No. 8 Chevrolet will be ready for his return, with health the priority.
Austin Hill will substitute in both the Cup race and Friday’s Truck event, while Busch sits 24th with two top-10s in 12 starts.

Summary

Busch Skips Race

Kyle Busch will miss the race at Watkins Glen, his first Cup absence since a broken leg in 2015.
Busch reported a cough, sinusitis concerns, and asked for the Hendrick doctor’s injection.
Carson Hocevar was withdrawn from the No. 77 truck, with Connor Zilisch set to drive it.
Hocevar may take Busch’s No. 7 Spire seat.
Busch’s recent Truck Series finishes include eighth at Bristol, second at Texas, and a win at Dover.

History

Historical Context

In 2015 Kyle Busch broke his left leg in an Xfinity race at Daytona and missed the first 11 of the 36-race Cup schedule, prompting Joe Gibbs Racing to use substitutes. That season also saw NASCAR adopt single-car qualifying for restrictor-plate events and cut green-white-checkered attempts, marking a shift toward stricter medical and safety protocols that still shape driver line-ups today.

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Kyle Busch Misses Race

Kyle Busch will miss the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte after being hospitalized for a severe illness.
His family posted Thursday that he is under treatment and will not race.
Richard Childress Racing said the No. 8 Chevrolet will be ready for his return, with health the priority.
Austin Hill will substitute in both the Cup race and Friday’s Truck event, while Busch sits 24th with two top-10s in 12 starts.

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