DraftKings announced it will refund bettors who lost wagers placed on former NASCAR driver Kyle Busch, who died last Thursday.
Key Takeaways
- An online user claimed DraftKings graded wagers involving Busch as losses.
- DraftKings said Monday it would issue cash refunds for affected bets.
- Busch’s No. 8 car was retired and is being saved for his 11-year-old son.
NASCAR went ahead with its planned events at Charlotte Motor Speedway over the weekend despite Busch's unexpected death just days earlier.
The 41-year-old and two-time NASCAR Cup Series champion was still an active driver and won a NASCAR Truck Series race May 15. He was entered in the Coca-Cola 600 and the Truck Series race in Charlotte.
While Busch never made it to the starting line, an X user shared that DraftKings had graded wagers involving Busch as a loss.
I’m sure others have reported but I’ve been MIA this week. @DK_Assist you cannot be serious. Refund the people their money in honor of Rowdy. Stop this pic.twitter.com/8zCh8RLmZZ
— skyboxnascar (@SkyboxNascar) May 24, 2026
However, the company confirmed Monday morning it would begin providing cash credit refunds to all customers with affected wagers within one-to-two days.
“We understand this is a sensitive situation and appreciate everyone’s patience,” DraftKings Support posted on X. “Cash credit refunds will be issued to all customers with impacted losing wagers. Credits will begin landing in accounts over the next 24-48 hours.”
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NASCAR reacts to Busch’s death
Questions arose as to whether NASCAR would take the weekend off in Busch's honor.
NASCAR CEO Steve O’Donnell justified the decision to continue as planned, stating Busch’s family thought that Busch would want them to continue racing.
“I think it’s a fair question,” O’Donnell said about the decision to hold the weekend races. “But when you look at what minimal conversations did take place between RCR, ourselves, family, it was - Kyle Busch would probably be pretty pissed off if we didn’t race. So we’re gonna honor his memory and make sure people know what he was all about.”
Mexican driver Daniel Suárez finished first in the Coca-Cola 600, while Layne Riggs won the Truck Series race.
20-year-old Corey Day took Busch’s spot in the No. 7 truck race. The young prospect crashed into the wall on the 47th lap but walked away without any injuries. He did not finish the race.
Richard Childress Racing driver Austin Hill filled in for Busch in the Coca-Cola 600, finishing 27th.
Hill will continue in Busch’s place for the remainder of the NASCAR Cup Series. Richard Childress Racing retired Buchs’s famous No. 8 car and is reserving it for his 11-year-old son, Brexton.
Hill will drive the No. 33 car, which features a smaller number eight in Busch’s honor.
A silent garage pays its respects as the No. 33 @RCRracing Chevrolet unloads at @CLTMotorSpdwy. pic.twitter.com/iGIhz9LWmv
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) May 23, 2026
