Kyle Busch will miss Sunday’s Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway after being hospitalized due to a severe illness, his family confirmed. The Richard Childress Racing veteran was slated to compete in both the Cup Series and Truck Series, but his condition forced a late withdrawal from both.
The Cup race, scheduled for May 24 at 6:00 PM ET, is one of NASCAR’s crown jewel events, spanning 400 laps and 600 miles. Busch will now miss it. His family released a statement addressing the situation on X:
“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. We ask for understanding and privacy as our family navigates this situation.”
The development caught many off guard, especially given Kyle Busch’s recent on-track efforts despite visible physical struggles. Just a week earlier at Watkins Glen, he had called for medical assistance mid-race, asking for physician assistant Bill Heisel to be present post-race. Busch mentioned needing “a shot” after battling a sinus-related issue throughout the weekend. Even then, he pushed through the discomfort to secure a top-10 finish.
Fans now link it to the current situation. Busch was battling through illness while continuing to race, and it appears the condition worsened in the days that followed. His absence from Charlotte also means he will miss planned participation in the Truck Series with Spire Motorsports in the No. 7 truck.
Austin Hill to replace Kyle Busch as RCR confirms Charlotte plan
With Kyle Busch sidelined, Richard Childress Racing moved quickly to name a replacement for the No. 8 Chevrolet. Austin Hill will step in, taking on double duty for the weekend alongside his full-time commitments with RCR in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series.
RCR confirmed the change in an official statement:
“Kyle Busch’s health is our utmost priority and he and his family have the full resources of RCR behind them. 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.”
The rest of the team structure remains unchanged, with Andy Street continuing as crew chief for the No. 8 entry. Hill’s inclusion ensures continuity within the organization, though it adds to the workload on a demanding weekend.
For now, the focus remains on Kyle Busch’s recovery.
Edited by Anurup Chakraborty
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