Two-times NASCAR Cup Series champion Kyle Busch has been hospitalized with a "severe illness" and will not compete in this weekend's Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway, his family said on Thursday. In a statement posted on the driver's social media account, the family said Busch is currently undergoing treatment. "We ask for understanding and privacy as our family navigates this situation," the family said.
Richard Childress Racing announced that Austin Hill, who drives the No. 21 for RCR in the O'Reilly Auto Parts Series, will take Busch's place in the No. 8 Chevrolet this weekend.
"Kyle Busch’s health is our utmost priority and he and his family have the full resources of RCR behind them," RCR said in a statement. "Kyle is an integral part of our organization and we wish him a safe and speedy recovery. His No. 8 Chevrolet will be ready and waiting for him. We’re thankful to Austin Hill for stepping in to drive the No. 8 Chevrolet this weekend. Please keep Kyle and the Busch family in your prayers, and help us respect the family’s privacy at this time," RCR stated.
Who is Kyle Busch?
Two-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Kyle Busch has been hospitalized with a severe illness and won't compete at Charlotte Motor Speedway this weekend, his family said Thursday.
The 41-year-old Las Vegas native ranks 24th in the Cup Series standings, with a pair of top-10 finishes in 12 races this season. He won championships in 2015 and 2019. His last win in 2023 was his first with RCR. His family posted the news on social media and said he is currently undergoing treatment.
Busch ranks 24th in the Cup Series standings, with two top-10 finishes in 12 races this season. The 41-year-old driver and Las Vegas native won championships in 2015 and 2019. Busch is in his fourth season at Richard Childress Racing after winning titles with Joe Gibbs Racing.
His last win came in 2023, his first with RCR. One of NASCAR's most flamboyant personalities, Busch has won 234 races across the sport's three national series, more than any driver in history. He has won 63 Cup Series races, including the 2018 Coca-Cola 600.
This will be the first time in more than a decade that Busch has missed a Cup Series race.
In 2015, he missed the first 11 races of the season while recovering from a compound leg fracture and broken foot following a crash during the Xfinity Series season-opener at Daytona International Speedway.
Austin Hill will replace Busch in the Coca-Cola 600.
