Richard Childress Reveals Conversation with Kyle Busch Before his Death

On Saturday afternoon, Richard Childress addressed the media for the first time since the death of Kyle Busch, driver of the No. 8 car. Of course, the 8 is no longer, and it has been replaced with the No. 33 car, with Austin Hill taking over driving duties.

During his media availability, Childress revealed that this weekend was going to be the weekend that RCR and Kyle Busch would announce they were sticking together for the 2027 season. Instead, Childress was addressing what could have been, and the tragic loss of one of the greatest NASCAR drivers to ever hold a wheel.

As Childress spoke, he brought up the conversation he had with Busch over the phone on the Tuesday before his death. The team owner and driver were focused not just on 2027, but making the most of 2026.

"I talked to Kyle, Tuesday night before everything went down Wednesday night and Thursday, and we had a great conversation talking about how he said, 'You give me cars like you gave me the last three weeks,' he said, 'I will make the Chase this year.' I mean, we were that confident," Childress told the media. "Both of us had a lot of confidence in us. We didn't have the year that any of us expected or wanted. We started out like gangbusters, and it just didn't go. We've had a lot of opportunities and we just didn't finish them off. But that's a tough part about today even walking in here, I was thinking you know, what if he and I were walking in together, instead I'm in here talking and thanking the media for your all's support."

Kyle Busch started the season by winning the pole award for the Daytona 500. After a crew chief swap, the No. 8 team began to find more speed and was looking more competitive week-to-week. Unfortunately, NASCAR fans will not get to see what could have been of this season of the 2027 season.

The tragedy of losing Busch is still felt weeks after his death. As the season continues, his absence will be felt at each track, as fans and others honor the late driver and all he meant to the sport of NASCAR.

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This story was originally published June 6, 2026 at 12:09 PM.