NASCAR star Kyle Busch hospitalized ahead of Charlotte’s big race. What we know
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Kyle Busch hospitalized with a ‘severe’ undisclosed illness, is undergoing treatment.
- Busch will not compete in any scheduled activities at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
- Richard Childress Racing named Austin Hill to drive the No. 8 Chevrolet this weekend.
Kyle Busch will miss the NASCAR Cup Series race this weekend at Charlotte Motor Speedway due to a “severe illness.”
According to a statement from the Busch family released Thursday morning, the 41-year-old driver’s bout with the undisclosed sickness resulted in hospitalization, where he is “currently undergoing treatment.”
Busch “will not compete in any of his scheduled activities this weekend at Charlotte Motor Speedway,” the family wrote. “We ask for understanding and privacy as our family navigates this situation.”
Busch is one of the sport’s biggest stars. And this weekend’s Cup race is the Coca-Cola 600 — one considered a “crown jewel” on the NASCAR schedule and certainly the largest annual auto race in North Carolina. It is also one of Busch’s favorite races year-over-year, he has said in the past, a product of racers and teams grinding through a series-most 600 miles.
Richard Childress Racing, the organization that owns the No. 8 car that Busch races each week, announced Thursday morning that Austin Hill will replace the two-time Cup Series champion this week.
“Kyle Busch’s health is our upmost priority, and he and his family have the full resources of RCR behind them,” Richard Childress Racing released 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.”
Busch struggled to begin the 2026 season, and with this being a contract year for the sport’s giant, that generated quite the discourse. Busch’s No. 8 team then did a few things to shake things up — including replacing the team’s crew chief, now Andy Street — and the results have steadily risen. He’s notched two Top 10s in the past three points races after four consecutive 20-plus finishes. He now sits 24th in the Cup Series standings.
Earlier this month a report from The Athletic’s Jordan Bianchi stated that it is “increasingly likely” that Busch will re-sign with RCR.
Hill is the logical replacement for Busch. The 32-year-old driver is a full-time force to be reckoned with in the O’Reilly Series — the series just below Cup — and has been with RCR for years. He sits seventh in points in the O’Reilly standings, with one win and six Top 10s to his name.
This story was originally published May 21, 2026 at 11:11 AM with the headline "NASCAR star Kyle Busch hospitalized ahead of Charlotte’s big race. What we know."
