NASCAR honors Kyle Busch as Charlotte tributes blanket Coca-Cola 600 weekend

Kyle Busch, two-time NASCAR Cup Series champion and the sport's all-time wins leader with 234 victories across all three national series, died May 21 at age 41 following hospitalization for a severe illness. Charlotte Motor Speedway opened the Coca-Cola 600 weekend with tributes to Busch, who had been entered in all three series events. The infield scoring pylon displayed only the No. 8, and the Jumbotron showed his name beside “1985–2026.” NASCAR CEO Steve O’Donnell told media Friday that Busch was “one of NASCAR's fiercest competitors, a future Hall of Famer” who mentored young drivers and supported families through his Bundle of Joy Foundation.

Sources: Heavy, Jayski

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911 call reveals Busch was coughing up blood the day before his death

A 911 call made Wednesday afternoon reveals Kyle Busch was experiencing shortness of breath and coughing up blood while at a training facility in Concord, North Carolina — nearly 24 hours before his death was announced. A caller reported Busch was lying on the bathroom floor and awake at the time of the call from a GM test center. Busch had been using a racing simulator when he became unresponsive later that day and was transported to a Charlotte hospital, where he died Thursday. Busch had reportedly also sought medical attention at Watkins Glen International earlier in May for what was described as a severe sinus-related illness.

Sources: Jayski

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RCR suspends No. 8 Chevrolet, reserves number for Brexton Busch

Richard Childress Racing announced Friday it will suspend use of the No. 8 Chevrolet in the NASCAR Cup Series following the death of Kyle Busch, who drove the car throughout his two seasons with the team. The organization will run the No. 33 beginning with Sunday's Coca-Cola 600, where Austin Hill, RCR's full-time O’Reilly Auto Parts Series driver, will pilot the entry. RCR said the No. 8 was Kyle Busch's design and has become synonymous with him. The number is being reserved for Busch's son, Brexton, 11, when he is ready to begin his own NASCAR career.

Sources: NASCAR, Motorsport.com

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Ty Gibbs earns first career Cup Series pole in Coca-Cola 600 qualifying

Ty Gibbs posted a lap of 29.355 seconds at 183.955 miles per hour Saturday to earn the pole position for Sunday's Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway — his first career NASCAR Cup Series pole. Gibbs, piloting the No. 54 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota, beat William Byron by 0.06 seconds for the top spot. Christopher Bell will start third, followed by Martin Truex Jr. and Chase Elliott in the top five. Championship leader Tyler Reddick will start eighth. The Coca-Cola 600 — NASCAR's longest race at 400 laps and 600 miles — is scheduled for 6 p.m. ET Sunday on Amazon Prime Video.

Sources: Charlotte Motor Speedway, NBC Sports

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Sanchez wins rain-delayed Truck race; Heim disqualified for loose lug nuts

Nick Sanchez won Saturday morning's rain-delayed North Carolina Education Lottery 200 at Charlotte Motor Speedway, taking the lead on Lap 126 and holding off Corey Heim over the final nine laps of the 134-lap race. Heim had led a race-high 72 laps and swept both stage victories before a jack issue on his final pit stop allowed Sanchez back into contention. Heim appeared to finish second but was disqualified in post-race inspection for three loose lug nuts, giving Sanchez an outright win. The race had been postponed from Friday night after storms washed out practice, qualifying, and the event itself at Charlotte.

Sources: Charlotte Motor Speedway

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Coca-Cola 600 faces 80 percent rain chance as storms shadow Charlotte

Sunday's Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway faces a significant weather threat, with forecasters projecting an 80 percent chance of rain during the scheduled 6 p.m. ET start. The Charlotte region was already dealing with heavy storms that forced Friday night's NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race to be postponed, and Saturday's Cup practice and qualifying sessions were conducted under threat of passing thunderstorms. NASCAR has already encountered multiple weather delays in the 2026 season. Rain delays at the crown jewel event could extend the race deep into Monday morning, and officials have not ruled out a full postponement if conditions deteriorate before the race begins.

Sources: Heavy, Motorsport.com

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Harvick calls Decker's Dover quit a “mockery” of the sport

Kevin Harvick offered sharp criticism Friday at Charlotte Motor Speedway of Natalie Decker, the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series driver who parked her No. 22 truck mid-race at Dover last week following multiple penalties and an emotional radio breakdown. “I don't like to see a mockery made out of what our sport is,” Harvick said, calling Decker's actions an embarrassment to the series. Decker had been penalized for jumping a restart and later failed to maintain minimum speed, and was heard crying and expressing frustration on team radio before withdrawing from the race with 119 laps remaining. Harvick said he has “zero sympathy” for her.

Sources: Motorsport.com

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