Charlotte, N.C. — NASCAR fans received concerning news Thursday morning as veteran driver Kyle Busch was hospitalized with a severe illness, forcing him to sit out this weekend’s action at Charlotte Motor Speedway.

The two-time Cup Series champion will not compete in the Coca-Cola 600 or the accompanying Truck Series event, according to statements released by his family and Richard Childress Racing.

“Kyle has experienced a severe illness resulting in hospitalization,” the Busch family said in a statement. “He is currently undergoing treatment and will not compete in any of his scheduled activities this weekend at Charlotte Motor Speedway. We ask for understanding and privacy as our family navigates this situation.”

Richard Childress Racing echoed the family’s request for privacy while confirming Austin Hill will step into the No. 8 Chevrolet for the weekend.

“KYLE Busch’s health is our utmost priority and he and his family have the full resources of RCR behind them,” the team said. “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.”

Busch, a highly experienced driver with wins across NASCAR’s top series, had been scheduled for a busy weekend in Charlotte. The Coca-Cola 600 is the longest race on the Cup schedule, testing both driver endurance and equipment reliability over 600 miles.

As of now, no further details about the nature of Busch’s illness have been released. Fans and the racing community are sending well-wishes for a quick recovery while respecting the family’s call for privacy during this time.

Austin Hill, a strong competitor in his own right with Xfinity and Truck Series experience, will handle driving duties in the No. 8 this weekend. Updates on Busch’s condition are expected as more information becomes available.

Stay tuned for the latest on Kyle Busch and full coverage of NASCAR’s Coca-Cola 600 weekend from Charlotte Motor Speedway.