CONCORD, N.C. — Dozens of people stood silently in the NASCAR Cup Series garage on Saturday morning at Charlotte Motor Speedway. The rain fell, but they paid it no mind.
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Their focus remained on the ceremonial unloading taking place, one that honored Kyle Busch two days after his sudden death at the age of 41. NASCAR set aside 8 a.m. for Richard Childress Racing to unload its two Cup Series cars.
Richard Childress Racing unloads the No. 33, which replaces Kyle Busch’s No. 8 moving forward. Dozens of people attend and watch in silence. pic.twitter.com/UHMKr9aJqI
— John Newby (@JohnNewby_) May 23, 2026
The Cup garage is usually a very busy place in the minutes after it officially opens each week. However, Saturday served as the exception.
The Richard Childress Racing crew members first unloaded the No. 33 Chevrolet as everyone stood silently in respect. This included Cup Series Managing Director Brad Moran, 23XI Racing driver Bubba Wallace, and Hendrick Motorsports crew chief Rudy Fugle.
Both Wallace and Fugle spent time with Kyle Busch Motorsports in the Truck Series, as did many other people scattered throughout the Cup Series garage.
Once the No. 33 rolled away to its garage stall, the focus moved to Austin Dillon's No. 3 Chevrolet. The respectful silence lingered as the No. 3 team unloaded Dillon's car from the hauler and rolled it off to its designated stall.
Once both Richard Childress Racing cars had moved on, the crews went back to their business. They began unloading their own cars in preparation for technical inspection and practice. Yet the silence lingered.
This ceremonial unloading took place less than 24 hours after Richard Childress Racing announced that it would put the No. 8 into indefinite hiatus.
The team will move forward with the No. 33 as its second car number, and it will only bring back the No. 8 once — and if — Brexton Busch is ready to go racing at this level of NASCAR.
For now, Austin Hill will take over the No. 33 for Sunday night's Coca-Cola 600. Richard Childress Racing will provide more details about the entry at a later date.
