NASCAR fans explain RCR decision with Kyle Busch’s | Sports News

NASCAR fans have rushed to defend Richard Childress Racing after their decision to “reserve” the No. 8 for Brexton following Kyle Busch’s tragic death final week got here below fire. The NASCAR world misplaced one of its best-ever drivers final Thursday, after Busch, 41, a two-time Cup Series champion and 234-time NASCAR race winner, died after issues from “pneumonia progressed into sepsis.”

It was a big shock to the system after Busch raced the weekend prior during NASCAR’s All-Star weekend at Dover, the place he scored his final ever NASCAR win, taking the checkered flag in the Truck Series. Tributes poured in from former rivals, teams, and celebrities, paying their respects to Busch and offering condolences to the Busch family.

In a remarkable show of strength, the Busch family made it to Charlotte Motor Speedway for Sunday’s Coca-Cola 600, which the iconic No. 8 was due to race in before his subsequent hospitalization and passing. Brexton, 11, an up-and-coming racing driver, showed incredible strength as he comforted his grieving mother, who was also flanked by Richard Childress. It was the second active devastating loss for Childress, who also saw the legendary Dale Earnhardt Sr. die racing for his team on the last lap of the 2001 Daytona 500.

RCR quickly moved to continue furthering Busch’s NASCAR legacy, which included heavy investment in his son’s own motorsport career. Brexton is considered one of the best 11-year-old racing drivers in the U.S. and regularly competes in Jr. Late Models and Outlaw Karts.

Brexton has been tipped early to make it to NASCAR in several years’ time, and RCR has bet big on the next Busch name to grace the sport. RCR “reserved” Busch’s No. 8 and will keep it until Brexton is ready to race in NASCAR.

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“Richard Childress Racing has elected to droop use of the No. 8 and can run the No. 33 at Charlotte Motor Speedway and past,” said the team in a statement.

“Kyle Busch was instrumental within the design of RCR’s stylized No. 8 and it has change into synonymous with Kyle and an important image for his fans and the NASCAR industry. No one can carry it ahead to the extent that he did. The No. 8 is reserved and prepared for Brexton Busch when he is able to go NASCAR racing.”

However, RCR’s decision drew some criticism. Some NASCAR fans highlighted how the No. 8 was also a number synonymous with the legendary Dale Earnhardt Jr. Others claimed that RCR was putting pressure on Brexton to follow in his father’s footsteps, and despite already showing signs that could be the case, could have a change of heart amid the recent tragedy.

“I felt bad for that kid. It’s like he just lost his dad and now he has to become a race car driver. Maybe he wanted to anyway. But still I thought that was a really odd thing to say, just retire his number. And then we’ll deal with the other part down the line,” sports radio host Marc Fellhauer said.

Still, NASCAR fans have rushed to RCR’s defense over the decision. “It sucks that Richard Childress Racing has been put in this situation twice now since 2001, but it of course is the right call. It will be quite a sight if Brexton Busch continues to progress to the point that he makes it to Cup and rolls out in the 8 car,” one said.

“The 8 is basically Kyle’s number now. can’t imagine anyone else running it,” one other tweeted. “You can’t love this enough,” a third mentioned.