Kyle Busch, a two-time NASCAR Cup Series champion who won more races than anyone across NASCAR’s three national series, has died at 41.
The Busch Family, Richard Childress Racing and NASCAR issued a joint statement Thursday saying that Busch died after being hospitalised.
No cause of death was given.
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Busch’s family said earlier Thursday that he was hospitalised with a “severe illness” three days before he was to compete at the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
“Our entire NASCAR family is heartbroken by the loss of Kyle Busch,” the statement said.
“A future Hall of Famer, Kyle was a rare talent, one who comes along once in a generation. He was fierce, he was passionate, he was immensely skilled and he cared deeply about the sport and fans.
“Throughout a career that spanned more than two decades, Kyle set records in national series wins, won championships at NASCAR’s highest level and fostered the next generation of drivers as an owner in the Truck Series.
“His sharp wit and competitive spirit sparked a deep emotional connection with race fans of every age, creating the proud and loyal ‘Rowdy Nation.’”
Busch is survived by wife Samantha, son Brexton, 11, and daughter Lennix, 4.
Busch’s older brother Kurt is also a Cup Series champion and a NASCAR Hall of Famer.
Kyle Busch recorded two wins in the third-tier Truck Series this year — saluting at Dover just six days before his death.
He said he would always celebrate wins at any level “because you never know when the last one is”.
That victory came a week after there was concern for his health during a race at Watkins Glen, asking his team over the radio to meet with a doctor and receive “a shot” after the chequered flag.
Busch started on pole for the top-tier Daytona 500 this season but had struggled for results in the Cup Series, recording two top-10 results from the first 12 races of the year.
Alongside his two Cup Series titles, Busch also holds the record for the most race wins (234) across NASCAR’s three tiers — 63 Cup victories with 102 in the second-tier and 69 Truck wins.
Former teammate Denny Hamlin wrote: “Absolutely cannot comprehend this news. We just need to think of his family during this time. We love you KB.”
Brad Keselowski said: “Absolute shock. Very hard to process.”
A polarising figure known as “Rowdy” and “Wild Thing” for his post-race fights, regular feuds with other drivers and sometimes outlandish behaviour, the multi-talented Busch stormed on the Cup Series scene in 2005 by winning Rookie of the Year.
He went on to win championships in 2015 and 2019 for Joe Gibbs Racing.
Busch was viewed as a racing prodigy.
He was said to be ready to race at NASCAR’s top level at 16, but a cigarette settlement banned his debut and he had to wait until he was a 18. At the time Kurt Busch said “if you think I’m good, wait until you see my brother”.
Kyle Busch’s unexpected death is just the latest tragedy to hit NASCAR.
Last December, former driver Greg Biffle, his wife and two children and three others died in a plane crash in Statesville, North Carolina.
One week later Hamlin lost his father in a house fire.
