NASCAR’s Kyle Busch’s impact on the sport was ‘immeasurable,’ Casey Mears says
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NASCAR driver Casey Mears reflected on the death of Kyle Busch on Friday, saying its impact on professional racing is “immeasurable.”
Busch died at the age of 41, hours after it was announced that he would forgo any racing activity at Charlotte Motor Speedway this weekend due to a “serious illness that resulted in hospitalization.”
Mears appeared on Fox News Channel’s “Fox & Friends First” while mourning Busch’s death.
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Casey Mears, driver of the No. 13 GEICO Chevrolet, leads Kyle Busch, driver of the No. 18 M&M Toyota, during practice for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Quaker State 400 at Kentucky Speedway in Sparta, Ky., on June 27, 2014. (Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
“I would honestly say it’s immeasurable. No one else has done what he’s accomplished in the sport. Kyle has won so many races,” he said of Busch’s impact on the sport. “So for a few years there was this tension that if Kyle didn’t win the Busch race or the Cup race or one of the truck races on the weekend, something was wrong because he kept winning races.
“I think at the end of the day he was just a tremendous competitor and you knew for sure he was always going to leave 110% on the table. One of the best ever built in a race car. The biggest thing was he became an amazing dad, father, husband, brother. I just think of everyone in the family. Tom and Gaye, his mother and brother, of course Samantha and the kids. As a family man, he was a real champion at home as well.”
NASCAR, the Busch family and Richard Childress Racing announced the death Thursday evening but did not provide a cause of death.
“On behalf of the Busch family, everyone at Richard Childress Racing, and all of NASCAR, we are deeply saddened to announce the sudden and tragic death of Kyle Busch,” the statement said. “Our entire NASCAR family is deeply saddened by the loss of Kyle Busch. A future Hall of Famer, Kyle was a rare talent, a once-in-a-generation talent. He was fiery, passionate, extremely talented, and cared deeply about the sport and the fans.
Kyle Busch celebrates his win in the NASCAR Nationwide Series race in Victory Lane at Richmond International Raceway on September 5, 2014 in Richmond, Virginia. (Steve Helber/AP)
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“During his career spanning more than two decades, Kyle set records for national series wins, won championships at NASCAR’s highest level, and developed the next generation of drivers as owner of the Truck Series. His sharp wit and competitive spirit ignited a deep emotional connection among racing fans of all ages and created the proud and loyal ‘Rowdy Nation.’
“Our thoughts are with Samantha, Brexton and Lennix, Kyle and Samantha’s parents, Kurt and Kyle’s entire family, Richard and Judy Childress, everyone at Richard Childress Racing, their teammates, friends and fans. Today, NASCAR lost a giant of the sport too soon.
“We ask everyone to respect the family’s privacy during this incredibly difficult time and continue to keep them in your thoughts and prayers. Further updates will be shared as appropriate.”
Busch was a two-time NASCAR Cup Series champion and had been in the series since 2004. He has made 762 career starts with 63 wins. Busch won the championship in 2015 and 2019 and has 234 wins across all three NASCAR national series.
Kyle Busch celebrates his victory in the NASCAR Shelby 427 race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on March 1, 2009 in Las Vegas. (Isaac Brekken/AP)
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Busch holds the all-time wins record in both the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series (102) and the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series (69). His most recent win came last weekend at Dover, where he led 147 laps in his Truck Series victory.
Fox News’ Zach Dean contributed to this report.
