Childress had hoped to reveal new Busch extension at Michigan - ESPN

BROOKLYN, Mich. — Richard Childress had hoped to announce a contract extension for Kyle Busch at Michigan International Speedway.

Instead, the longtime owner of Richard Childress Racing held a news conference Saturday at the track to publicly address the unexpected death of Kyle Busch for the first time since the two-time Cup Series champion died on May 21 after severe pneumonia progressed into sepsis.

For Childress, whose NASCAR team weathered the loss of seven-time champion Dale Earnhardt in a fatal crash at the 2001 Daytona 500, the ache was all too familiar.

«You lose two of the greatest drivers that's ever driven a car in NASCAR and to have to go through it again,» Childress said. «I just feel so bad for the family and the employees and everybody. But yeah, I mean, I haven't slept very good lately.»

Childress said he spoke to Busch the night before he was hospitalized after becoming unresponsive while testing in the Chevrolet racing simulator in Concord, North Carolina.

Busch, who was in a contract year, died the next day. His death certificate cited hemorrhagic shock and disseminated intravascular coagulation. The 41-year-old was in the midst of a 105-Cup race win drought.

But he had finished a season-best eighth at Watkins Glen after a crew chief change, and Childress said there were positive discussions about Busch returning to the No. 8 Chevrolet next year.

«He said, 'You give me cars like you gave me the last three weeks, I will make The Chase this year,'» Childress said. «We were that confident.»

With RCR switching to the No. 33, Austin Hill has driven Busch's car the past two races. Childress said Hill will remain in the ride the rest of the season.

«We don't want to put a burden back on everybody trying to