Two-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Kyle Busch has died at 41, the American racing series has confirmed. The shock news came just hours after a family statement confirmed he had been hospitalised with a “serious illness” and that he would not be taking part in the Coca-Cola 600 NASCAR race this weekend.
“We are saddened and heartbroken to share the news of the passing of Kyle Busch, a two-time Cup champion and one of our sport’s greatest and fiercest drivers,” a statement from the American racing series read. “He was 41 years old. We extend our deepest condolences to the Busch family, Richard Childress Racing and the entire motorsports community.”
A joint statement from the Busch family, his team Richard Childress Racing and NASCAR has also been released. It read: “Our entire NASCAR family is heartbroken by the loss of Kyle Busch. 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.’
“Our thoughts are with Samantha, Brexton and Lennix, Kyle and Samantha’s parents, Kurt and all of Kyle’s family, Richard and Judy Childress, everyone at Richard Childress Racing, his teammates, friends and fans. NASCAR lost a giant of the sport today, far too soon. During this incredibly difficult time, we ask everyone to respect the family’s privacy and continue to keep them in your thoughts and prayers. Further updates will be shared as appropriate.”
Busch was a motorsport legend, winning two NASCAR Cup Series titles in 2015 and 2019 and cementing his status as one of the best drivers the American motorsport competition had ever seen. He was still active in the series and was due to race in the Coca-Cola 600 race at Charlotte Motor Speedway this weekend.
However, earlier on Thursday, a statement from the Busch family confirmed that he would not be taking part as he had been hospitalised by “a severe illness”. Spire Motorsports, the team which was due to field Busch in the Craftsman Truck Series competition at Charlotte, confirmed development driver Corey Day would be standing in for him.
But then came the shock news that Busch had succumbed to his illness. His achievements, including those two Cup Series titles and his 63 race wins – putting him ninth on the all-time list of most victories – are being celebrated by NASCAR chiefs as the motorsport world digests this sudden loss.
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He was the younger brother to Kurt Busch, also a Cup Series veteran who won the 2004 title and who was inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame in January this year for his achievements in a long Cup Series career which began in 2000 and ended in 2022.
Kyle Busch made his Cup Series debut in 2004 with Hendrick Motorsports and became a race-winner for the first time the following year. But the bulk of his success, including both his titles and 56 of those 63 wins, came during a 15-year stint with Joe Gibbs Racing. He was also a team owner in the Truck Series, which won two championships and more than 100 races.
Both and raise in Las Vegas, Nevada, Busch had two children with his wife of 15 years Samantha: Brexton, his son whose 11th birthday was celebrated only on Monday this week, and his four-year-old daughter, Lennix.