Richard Childress: Brexton Busch will 'carry the Busch legacy'

Brexton Busch is the son of one of NASCAR's all-time greats, but in the wake of Kyle Busch's death, Richard Childress wants no pressure put on the 11-year-old as he navigates his racing career. 

The stylized No. 8 that Busch helped design and later raced at Richard Childress Racing will be held for Brexton should he want to use it in NASCAR competition. 

"Kyle designed that style 8 car," Childress said Saturday at Michigan International Speedway. "And it's not to ever put any pressure on him to run the 8, but it's there for him. We'll save it for Brexton if he ever comes and says, 'Hey, I'm going to go drive for Rick Hendrick, I want to use that 8.'"

Richard Childress commends Brexton Busch

Childress saw firsthand with the death of Dale Earnhardt in 2001 how much pressure can be put on one's next of kin who follows in their footsteps. In the months and years following Earnhardt's passing, the spotlight was trained on his son, Dale Earnhardt Jr., who was in just his second full-time season of NASCAR Cup Series competition at the time. 

"Just showing [Brexton] the respect and [trying] not to put more pressure on him just like Dale Jr.," Childress said. "I think that he's got a great future. That kid can drive a race car."

Childress watched Brexton run laps in a legend car at Charlotte Motor Speedway Tuesday. 

"Watching him this Tuesday was incredible," Childress said. "He's just a bright young man and a great little racer. He'll carry the Busch legacy for many years to come."

Quotes provided by NASCAR Media.