Racing world mourns the death of two-time NASCAR champion Kyle Busch
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The NASCAR world was stunned Thursday when Kyle Busch, one of the sport’s all-time greats, died suddenly at the age of 41.
Busch, 41, was hospitalized Thursday for an undisclosed but “serious illness,” according to a statement released by the Busch family. NASCAR, the Busch family and Richard Childress Racing announced the death Thursday evening but did not provide a cause of death.
When news of Busch’s death broke, NASCAR drivers mourned their lost rival.
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No. 8 Region Watermelon x Circle K Chevrolet driver Kyle Busch is unveiled ahead of the NASCAR Cup Series Würth 400 at Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth, Texas on May 3, 2026. (James Gilbert/Getty Images)
One of those drivers was Ricky Stenhouse Jr., who had an infamous fistfight with Busch after a race nearly two years ago, but he put his differences aside to show his respect.
Many people paid their respects.
Busch’s last Cup Series win came in June 2023. Although he’s struggled for much of this season, Busch started on the pole at February’s Daytona 500 and had a season-best eighth-place finish at Watkins Glen two weeks ago. He also won the Truck Series race at Dover last week.
Kyle Busch appears before the NASCAR Cup Series Food City 500 at Bristol Motor Speedway in Bristol, Tenn., on March 17, 2024. (Jeffrey Vest/Icon Sportswire)
TWO-TIME NASCAR CUP SERIES CHAMPION KYLE BUSCH TRAGICALLY DIES AT 41 AFTER BEING TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL
The statement announcing Busch’s death said the “future Hall of Famer” 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.
Busch has been in the Cup Series since 2004 and 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.
He 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.
Kyle Busch, driver of the No. 8 Cheddar’s/ALSCO Uniforms Chevrolet, looks on as he qualifies for the NASCAR Cup Series Bass Pro Shop Night Race at Bristol Motor Speedway in Bristol, Tenn., on Sept. 15, 2023. (Meg Oliphant/Getty Images)
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Busch leaves behind his wife, Samantha, and two children. He is the first active NASCAR Cup Series driver to die since Dale Earnhardt died on the final lap of the 2001 Daytona 500.
OutKick’s Zach Dean contributed to this report.
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