NASCAR

No one will race the No. 8 car after Kyle Busch's tragic death ... with Richard Childress Racing announcing the digit will be suspended in his honor until his son, Brexton, is ready to join NASCAR.

The decision was shared on Friday ... with Busch's team saying it will opt to use No. 33 at Charlotte Motor Speedway this weekend 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," RCR said minutes ago. "No one can carry it forward to the level that he did."

NASCAR legend Kyle Busch passed away suddenly, according to an announcement from his racing team, Richard Childress Racing, and from NASCAR itself.

His "sudden and tragic passing" comes the same day his family revealed he'd been hospitalized with a "severe illness."

Kyle leaves behind an incredible legacy in the racing community. Keep reading to learn more and honor his memory.

Kyle was a Las Vegas native who was just 6 years old when he first fell in love with racing, often go-karting around his cul-de-sac.

He reportedly used crushed soda cans to create a makeshift track for himself and his brother, Kurt. Busch would even use the little tabs as targets to practice weaving in and out, according to ESPN.

Kyle's first popped on the NASCAR scene at only 16 years old ... racing for Roush Racing in a 2001 Craftsman Truck Series race, behind the wheel of a number 99 Ford.

While he finished 9th at Indianapolis Raceway Park, his debut was cut short ... thanks to a rule NASCAR implemented shortly after which banned drivers under 18 from competing in any of its touring divisions.

Once he was eligible, he went on to win Rookie of the Year twice -- in 2004 for NASCAR's Busch Series and again in 2005 for NASCAR's Cup Series.

Over the course of his 25-year career, Kyle won more NASCAR national series races than any other driver in history. He racked up 63 Cup Series wins, 102 O’Reilly Auto Parts Series wins and 69 Truck Series wins ... for a grand total of 234.

Busch also holds the records for most Truck Series and O’Reilly Auto Parts Series wins. He's even been crowned Cup Series Champion twice -- in 2015 and 2019.

NASCAR made Kyle's GOAT status official ... naming him in their list of 75 greatest drivers. He's in good company, included alongside all-time greats and household names like Dale Earnhardt and Richard Petty.

This tracks, since Busch's list of accomplishments is longer than a CVS receipt. Not to mention ... he's taken home the top motorsports honor at the ESPYS twice ... having been crowned Best Driver in 2016 and 2019.

Kyle's young song, Brexton, is continuing the family tradition ... because he's a racer, himself. According to Brexton's bio, he started racing at just 5 years old, competing at the Beginner Box Stock division at Millbridge Speedway.

Just days before his death, Busch took to Instagram to wish Brexton a happy 11th birthday ... sharing sweet snaps of his son.

He wrote in the caption ... "You’re the best kid on & off the track, you amaze us every day. Keep doing what you’re doing and there is no limit to what you’ll accomplish! Love you buddy!"

In addition to Brexton, Kyle is also survived by his wife Samantha and his 4-year-old daughter Lennix.

We first heard Kyle was sick when he radioed for medical help during his Cup Series race on May 10 at Watkins Glen in upstate New York, which he finished in 8th place.

And even though he was still under the weather, Busch raced again in a Truck Series race on May 15, where he won the EcoSave 200.

He was 41.

8:52 AM PT -- Kyle Busch's medical emergency has been partially revealed by 911 audio obtained by TMZ Sports ... with a caller saying the NASCAR superstar was struggling to breathe, overheating and coughing up blood before medics rushed to help.

NASCAR legend Kyle Busch tragically died at the age of 41 Thursday ... and we are starting to learn more about what happened prior to his shocking passing.

Before being hospitalized ... Busch was testing in a racing simulator in Concord on Wednesday when he became unresponsive -- and was rushed for medical care, the Associated Press reported via unnamed sources.

As TMZ reported ... Busch's family, racing team, Richard Childress Racing, and NASCAR announced the shocking news yesterday afternoon.

Kyle Busch's shocking death at just 41 years old has devastated the NASCAR community ... with drivers sharing their grief on social media.

Brad Keselowski was one of the first to post about Busch's death ... saying, "Absolute shock. Very hard to process. Hug your loved ones."

Denny Hamlin also went to social media ... adding, "Absolutely cannot comprehend this news. We just need to think of his family during this time. We love you KB."

2:44 PM PT -- NASCAR legend Kyle Busch has tragically died at the age of 41.

Kyle Busch is in the hospital, battling a "severe illness," according to the NASCAR superstar's family.

“Kyle has experienced a severe illness resulting in hospitalization. He is currently undergoing treatment and will not compete in any of his scheduled activities this weekend at Charlotte Motor Speedway," the family said Thursday morning.

"We ask for understanding and privacy as our family navigates this situation,” the family said Thursday morning.

5/22/2026 8:52 AM PT -- Kyle Busch's medical emergency has been partially revealed by 911 audio obtained by TMZ Sports ... with a caller saying the NASCAR superstar was struggling to breathe, overheating and coughing up blood before medics rushed to help.

NASCAR legend Kyle Busch has tragically died at the age of 41.

Busch's racing team, Richard Childress Racing, along with NASCAR, announced the shocking news.

"On behalf of the Busch family, everyone at Richard Childress Racing and all of NASCAR, we are devastated to announce the sudden and tragic passing of Kyle Busch."

"Our entire NASCAR family is heartbroken by the loss of Kyle Busch. A future Hall of Famer, Kyle was a rare talent, one who comes along once in a generation. He was fierce, he was passionate, he was immensely skilled and he cared deeply about the sport and fans. Throughout a career that spanned more than two decades, Kyle set records in national series wins, won championships at NASCAR’s highest level and fostered the next generation of drivers as an owner in the Truck Series."

Sick twist to an already horrible story ... authorities in North Carolina are investigating the burglary of Greg Biffle's home, following his tragic death, as a potential inside job.

Authorities in Iredell County say the suspicious activity started just hours after the December 18 crash in Statesville, NC, which took the life of Biffle, his wife Cristina, his two kids, and three others, with a disturbing email that read, "I heard you're dead, rest in hell," being sent to the deceased driver's inbox, according to WSOC.

Around the same time, investigators say Biffle's banking passwords were changed ... and there was also alleged fraudulent activity on Cristina's Venmo account.

YouTuber-turned-NASCAR driver Cleetus McFarland is opening up on his late friend and mentor, Greg Biffle ... days after the social media star made his debut with the biggest org in stock car racing.

"I think a lot about [what Biffle would have thought]. I think Biff would know I'm totally in over my head right now with the O'Reilly stuff. But I think if I called him and said, 'Hey, I just got this call,' he would say, 'We gotta do it.' Because of the aspect that I can be a better driver because of the resources they have."

McFarland, who has nearly 5 million subscribers on YouTube, added ... "I'm trying to 'Be Like Biff' in these decisions, ya know? And I think I'm on track with what he would've wanted as my mentor."

Cleetus is referring to his new gig as a part-time driver for Richard Childress Racing -- he signed a two-year deal -- putting him behind the wheel of RCR's number 33 Chevy.

Michael Jordan is back in the spotlight for something he's no stranger to -- winning.

His Airness is opening up about his legal war with NASCAR and didn’t hold back in a sit-down interview on Friday with CBS’ Gayle King … admitting his lawsuit against the racing giant wasn’t just business -- it was personal.

“100%,” Jordan said when asked if his intention was to shake up the sport.

The NBA legend -- now co-owner of 23XI Racing -- explained that once he got deeper into NASCAR, he didn’t like what he saw ... particularly when it came to how the people “putting on the show” were treated compared to those at the top.

Former NASCAR driver Chase Pistone -- a second-generation racer who carried one of stock car racing’s historic family names -- has died at 42.

Pistone came up through the short-track ranks before climbing into national competition ... racing in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, NASCAR Xfinity Series and the ARCA Menards Series. While he may not have been a household name at the Cup level, he carved out a respected career as a gritty competitor and later as a team owner and mentor.

In recent years, Pistone focused heavily on developing young talent through his Chase Pistone Inc. Legends program ... fielding competitive Legends and Late Model cars that routinely contended for wins. Within grassroots racing circles, he was known as much for teaching and coaching as he was for driving.

His brother, Nick, shared the heartbreaking news on Facebook … writing, “Well, my young brother and best friend is gone. I’m broken-hearted and don’t know if I’ll ever get over this. I miss you Chase already and I hope you are in a better place.”

NASCAR star Tyler Reddick is calling out the negative chatter over Michael Jordan's eyebrow-raising interaction with his 6-year-old son as they celebrated his huge Daytona 500 win over the weekend.

The champion racer appeared on Stephen A. Smith's Sirius XM radio show Tuesday and said he's just not seeing anything inappropriate between his son and the NBA icon. It's all in the clip -- he reasons he's gotten to know MJ and his family over the years ... and is focused on celebrating his big moment with them.

ICYMI, Tyler races the No. 45 Toyota stock car, which is co-owned by Michael and three-time Daytona 500 winner Denny Hamlin.

Tyler Reddick had no interest in revisiting the viral Victory Lane moment involving his son and Michael Jordan -- with a member of his team shutting down the question before it ever got off the ground.

With the controversy still swirling on social media, TMZ Sports asked the NASCAR star directly on Tuesday about the interaction involving his 6-year-old son, Beau, and MJ following the Daytona 500 victory … but his camp immediately deflected.

“We’re not going to talk about that,” Reddick’s rep interjected when pressed on the controversy.

Full stop.

Michael Jordan is being criticized after what should’ve been a champagne-soaked celebration at the Daytona 500 … but instead of talking trophies, many on social media are dissecting a viral video involving MJ and Tyler Reddick's young son.

Jordan's 23XI Racing team won the season's biggest race, and while the confetti was falling, cameras captured a brief interaction between the NBA legend and Beau Reddick, son of the winning driver.

In the viral clip, MJ appears to playfully grab or tap the child during the chaotic celebration ... repeatedly pinching his lower back and brushing his leg.

Bert Kreischer is counting down the days until his pre-Daytona 500 Full Throttle Festival ... and he tells TMZ Sports if there were one person in the whole world he would love to introduce to NASCAR -- it would be none other than Joe Rogan!!

We chopped it up with the comedian ahead of the opening race of the 2026 NASCAR season ... and he told us he hopes to convince the podcast megastar and UFC commentator on how great a sport it is.

"He doesn't really follow NASCAR," Kreischer said. "And I would love for him to get into NASCAR."

Just weeks after Greg Biffle, his family, and others were tragically killed in a North Carolina plane crash, burglars broke into his home -- and stole $30K in cash.

The Iredell County Sheriff's Office says deputies were dispatched to the Biffle residence around 6 PM on January 8 for a possible break-in.

They reported that a backpack and $30,000 in cash were missing from the home.

No arrests have been made in connection with the theft, and the investigation is still ongoing.

TMZ Sports has obtained the 911 calls made in connection to the fatal plane crash that took the lives of Greg Biffle and his family ... with witnesses documenting the horrific scene in North Carolina last month.

Officials released five calls on Tuesday ... and among the files are several individuals on the line who sounded frantic as they asked for help at the location.

One caller said he was golfing on the nearby course when he saw the Cessna C550 plane carrying Biffle and his family crash into a tree line and move downward. He said there was then a "huge explosion."