Chase Elliott is set to get behind the wheel of the truck that Kyle Busch last won in, with Spire Motorsports announcing on Wednesday, July 8, that the Cup Series champion will compete in the FaithFest 250. The event, scheduled for July 18 at North Wilkesboro, will see Elliott driving the No. 7 Chevrolet.
This appearance in the Craftsman Truck Series marks a demanding triple-duty weekend for the 30-year-old Elliott. He will also race his No. 9 Chevrolet for Hendrick Motorsports in the top-level Cup Series, alongside a debut in the zMAX CARS Tour.
Busch’s Enduring Legacy and Final Races
Kyle Busch, who tragically died on May 21 at the age of 41, held a record of 234 combined victories across NASCAR’s top three national touring circuits. Of these, 69 came in the Craftsman Truck Series, establishing a significant legacy within the sport.
His final two wins were achieved in the No. 7 Chevrolet for Spire Motorsports. These victories were part of an eight-race deal that Busch was set to compete in during the 2026 Truck Series season, an arrangement that necessitated replacement drivers following his death.
Busch had completed four races of this eight-race slate with Spire, securing checkered flags at both Atlanta and Dover. His win at Dover occurred just six days before his death, which sent shockwaves through the NASCAR community.
According to his death certificate, Busch died due to hemorrhagic shock and disseminated intravascular coagulation, a condition that causes widespread clotting in small blood vessels. The certificate also noted he had been suffering from sepsis for at least a day, compounded by complications of presumed bacterial pneumonia for “days to weeks.”
Elliott’s Return to Truck Series Action
For Chase Elliott, the North Wilkesboro race will mark his first Truck Series appearance since 2023. His last outing in the series saw him finish 10th at Daytona, adding to his varied racing experience.
Elliott, the 2020 Cup Series champion, has never driven full-time in the Truck Series. Despite this, his record in the category is notable, with three wins from the 18 races he has entered. He maintains an impressive average finish of 7.7 in trucks.
A Challenging Triple-Duty Weekend
Beyond his commitments in the Truck Series for Spire and the Cup Series for Hendrick Motorsports, Elliott’s North Wilkesboro schedule includes another significant event. He is set to race in Friday night’s zMAX CARS Tour event.
This will be Elliott’s first time competing in the late-model stockcar racing series. He will be driving the No. 8 car for JR Motorsports in the event. The zMAX CARS Tour is co-owned by several prominent figures in racing, including Dale Earnhardt Jr., Kevin Harvick, Jeff Burton, and Justin Marks.
North Wilkesboro itself holds a specific place in Busch’s original schedule, as it was set to be his seventh truck race in 2026. Elliott’s presence in Busch’s truck at this venue adds a layer of continuity to the season.
Spire Motorsports’ Connections and Continuity
The relationship between Spire Motorsports and Kyle Busch ran deep within the sport. The headquarters from which Spire operates its racing programme was formerly the home of Kyle Busch Motorsports, a Truck Series team previously owned by Busch.
Furthermore, Jeff Dickerson, a co-owner of Spire, had a long-standing professional history with Busch, having served as his spotter and agent during the early stages of his career. These personal and professional links highlight the significance of Spire’s role in Busch’s recent racing endeavours.
Following Busch’s death, the No. 7 truck has seen other replacement drivers. Corey Day crashed out of the race at Charlotte, while Rajah Caruth secured a second-place finish at Nashville. The remaining race on Busch’s Truck Series schedule for this season is on Aug. 14 at Richmond, for which Spire has not yet announced a driver.
In a poignant moment after Busch’s death, a Spire car driven by Daniel Suarez captured a win at the Coca-Cola 600, the first Cup Series race following the tragedy.
Chase Elliott, the son of 1988 Cup Series champion Bill Elliott, stands as one of the most accomplished drivers in the Cup Series himself. He boasts 23 wins at the sport’s top level, including two victories this season at Martinsville and Texas.