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Childress Keeps Austin Hill, Shelves Busch No. 8

6/7/2026

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Summary

Childress Keeps Hill

Richard Childress announced Austin Hill will stay in the No. 33 Chevrolet for the rest of the 2026 NASCAR season.
He added the team will make no further driver changes this season.
After Kyle Busch died on May 21 at age 41, the team will keep his No. 8 out of competition and may later assign it to his 11-year-old son Brexton.
Childress compared the grief to the emotions after Dale Earnhardt’s 2001 death.

Summary

Childress Urges Induction

Richard Childress said he hopes NASCAR will induct Kyle Busch into Hall of Fame immediately.
He admitted he has not slept well since Busch’s death, describing the loss as overwhelming.
Childress recalled early hunting trips with Busch, after which Busch hunted with his son Brexton.
Busch said the 2027 contract, to be announced at Michigan International Speedway before GM and Chevrolet reps, could help him make the Chase in 2026.

Summary

Busch Thanks Supporters

A remembrance ceremony before the Coca-Cola 600 featured Richard Childress, NASCAR CEO Steve O'Donnell and Samantha Busch on the grid.
Kyle Busch’s death certificate listed one-day sepsis, hemorrhagic shock and disseminated intravascular coagulation that caused fatal clots.
Samantha Busch thanked supporters for prayers, meals and flowers, saying they showed God’s presence and community love.

History

Historical Context

On February 18 2001 Dale Earnhardt died from a basilar-skull fracture during the Daytona 500, a crash watched by over 17 million viewers. His death prompted NASCAR, led by president Mike Helton, to mandate HANS devices on October 17 2001 and require SAFER barriers, and led to the Car of Tomorrow design, whose safety features carried into the Gen 6 car. No driver has died in a major NASCAR race since.

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Childress Keeps Hill

Richard Childress announced Austin Hill will stay in the No. 33 Chevrolet for the rest of the 2026 NASCAR season.
He added the team will make no further driver changes this season.
After Kyle Busch died on May 21 at age 41, the team will keep his No. 8 out of competition and may later assign it to his 11-year-old son Brexton.
Childress compared the grief to the emotions after Dale Earnhardt’s 2001 death.

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