Kyle Busch, Richard Childress, and Cheddar's Scratch Kitchen kicked off Dover weekend with a special event celebrating active military members and veterans alike.
The driver of the No. 8 Chevrolet and the championship-winning team owner spent Friday at Dover Air Force Base. They visited more than 200 military members, their families, and other dignitaries. The group and treated these military members to a catered lunch from Cheddar's Scratch Kitchen while continuing a relationship that began in 2020.
The trip to Dover Air Force Base was not solely for a catered lunch and a meet-and-greet. Richard Childress Racing also unveiled a red, white, and blue patriotic Cheddar's scheme that Busch will showcase during the race weekend as he seeks his fourth career Dover win.
This special scheme will feature the names of veterans on the trunk lid, 67 of whom are Cheddar's employees.
Photo credit: Richard Childress Racing
"Thank you to all of our U.S. military families, especially the folks at Dover Air Force Base and the 67 Cheddar's employees who are featured on the No. 8 car this weekend," Busch said in a press release.
"Fans across the country have made Cheddar's a part of their race day traditions, including many who have served our country. It means a lot to be able to represent them on the track with a special patriotic paint scheme."
Said Childress, "What an honor to spend the day with the men and women at Dover Air Force Base. These service members are true heroes. Everyone at RCR is proud to partner with Cheddar's Scratch Kitchen on a patriotic paint scheme designed to honor those who served."
Busch will have an opportunity to put this scheme front and center on both Saturday and Sunday based on his previous trips to the 1-mile concrete track. After all, he started from the pole in the last two races there while leading a combined 59 laps. He finished fourth last season.
Photo credit: Richard Childress Racing
The two-time Cup Series champion has been consistent at Dover throughout his career. In 36 career starts, he has posted 22 top-10 finishes and 14 top-fives while leading 1,375 laps. He parked his Cup Series car in victory lane in 2008, 2010, and 2017.
Busch will put the special scheme on display first during practice and qualifying on Saturday. These sessions will begin at 1:35 p.m. ET (truTV and Max). The Cup Series race will then take place on Sunday at 2 p.m. ET (TNT, truTV, and Max).