NASCAR legend Kyle Busch was set to confirm Cup Series future at Michigan

NASCAR legend Kyle Busch was set to re-sign with Richard Childress Racing for 2027 and announce it this weekend at Michigan.

That is according to RCR team owner Richard Childress, who sat down with the media to reflect on Busch's sudden passing at the age of 41 on May 21.

Tragically, the shocking news came just days after what proved to be his final NASCAR victory in the Truck Series at Dover.

The Busch family later released a statement sharing that a medical evaluation of Busch had concluded that severe pneumonia had progressed into sepsis, resulting in rapid and overwhelming associated complications.

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Kyle Busch was set to stay at RCR for 2027

Prior to his passing, Busch's contract at RCR was set to expire at the end of this year, but as it turns out, he had already agreed he would be staying with the team for 2027.

“First off, I’d just like to take this opportunity to thank all the media, and the ones who aren’t even here today, for all of your support through this unbelievable challenge that we’re all facing losing Kyle Busch at such a young age, and so unexpected for all of us," Childress told media at Michigan International Speedway.

“But I just wanted to look around the room and thank so many of you that’s been friends and supported the Busch family; Brexton, Lennix, Samantha, the whole Busch family, and for RCR supporting us in these challenging times.

“Second, the hardest part of this is, today, we were going to be in here, Kyle was going to be with me, and we were going to announce that he was coming back in ‘27 to drive for RCR.

“We wanted to do it up here at Michigan with our GM friends, with Chevrolet, and it didn’t happen. This is a different type of media availability instead of a press conference that he was coming back and race for us in 27."

Kyle Busch was confident on making The Chase

Despite a tough start to the year for Busch and the team, Childress also revealed that Busch was confident he could make the post-season after a change of crew chief saw the team's speed improve.

“I talked to Kyle Tuesday night before everything went down Wednesday night and Thursday and we had a great conversation,” Childress added.

“He said, ‘You give me cars like you gave me the last three weeks, I will make The Chase this year.’

“We were that confident.”

Among other things, Childress also revealed that the plan is for Austin Hill to continue driving the No. 33 for the remainder of the season at this time.

The team has suspended the use of the stylized No. 8 and has it in reserve for Kyle's son, Brexton.