DAYTONA BEACH, FL - FEBRUARY 15: Kyle Busch 8 Richard Childress Racing zone Jalapeno Lime Chevrolet waves to the crowd prior to the running of the 68th NASCAR, Motorsport, USA Cup Series Daytona 500 on February 15, 2026 at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, FL. Photo by Jeff Robinson/Icon Sportswire AUTO: FEB 15 NASCAR Cup Series Daytona 500 EDITORIAL USE ONLY Icon2602152098500
DAYTONA BEACH, FL - FEBRUARY 15: Kyle Busch 8 Richard Childress Racing zone Jalapeno Lime Chevrolet waves to the crowd prior to the running of the 68th NASCAR, Motorsport, USA Cup Series Daytona 500 on February 15, 2026 at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, FL. Photo by Jeff Robinson/Icon Sportswire AUTO: FEB 15 NASCAR Cup Series Daytona 500 EDITORIAL USE ONLY Icon2602152098500
A few days before Kyle Busch tragically passed away, he put forth a wish to NASCAR President Steve O'Donnell. Busch was the winningest driver in the Truck Series, and that wish was regarding him racing in it for years to come.
In a press conference on Friday ahead of the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway, O'Donnell revealed what their last conversation was.
"But what I look back on is a text from Kyle Tuesday, as only Kyle could do — and I keep looking at it — and he said: 'Hey man, what do you think about an over-40 rule to be able to compete in all the Truck series races next year?'" O'Donnell said.
"And I said, we put that rule in place because you're winning so much, but when we looked about it, and we had a meeting Wednesday internally, and we said, well, damn, that's actually good. We need Kyle in the Truck Series." O'Donnell further added.
Notably, Kyle Busch, who was 41 by the time of his passing, was skeptical about his return to the Truck Series in the coming days, as NASCAR does not allow experienced Cup Series drivers to take part in more than eight races per season in Truck and 10 races per season in the O'Reilly Auto Parts Series.
Moreover, Busch wanted to continue racing in the lower series till his son, Brexton Busch, becomes old enough to drive in the Truck Series. Alas, that is no longer a possibility.
Richard Childress Racing's heartwarming gesture for Kyle Busch's son Brexton
Following the tragic passing of Kyle Busch, Richard Childress Racing decided to retire the No. 8, starting from Charlotte Motor Speedway. They'll use the No. 33 instead, which Austin Dillon will occupy at the Coca-Cola 600.
However, RCR vowed to use the No. 8 only when Kyle Busch's son, Brexton, is ready to go racing in NASCAR.
"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 in a statement on X. "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's son, Brexton, is currently 11 years old and is competing in the Late Models and Legends car. Also active in the Dirt race as well, the young prodigy is regarded highly in the junior racing categories. and is expected to take forward the name of the Busch family in the days to come.
Read more at the RFK Racing Digest!
Written by
Sabyasachi Biswas
Edited by
Yask Kotak