Legendary NASCAR racer Kyle Busch has died at the age of 41.
NASCAR great Kyle Busch has died aged 41
The driver’s passing was announced by the US racing series on Thursday (21.05.26), just hours after the two-time NASCAR Cup Series champion’s family had revealed that he had been hospitalised with a “severe illness”.
A statement from NASCAR, the Busch family and his Richard Childress Racing team read: “On behalf of the Busch family, everyone at Richard Childress Racing and all of NASCAR, we are devastated to announce the sudden and tragic passing of Kyle Busch.
“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’.”
The statement concluded: “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.”
The Busch family had announced earlier in the day that the driver would be absent for two upcoming races in North Carolina – including the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway on Sunday (24.05.26) – due to illness.
They said: “Kyle has experienced a severe illness resulting in hospitalisation.
“He is currently undergoing treatment and will not compete in any of his scheduled activities this weekend at Charlotte Motor Speedway. We ask for understanding and privacy as our family navigates this situation.”
Kyle began his NASCAR career back in 2001 and won the NASCAR Cup Series Championship in both 2015 and 2019.
He is ranked ninth on the all-time list of NASCAR Cup Series wins and has the most overall victories (234) across the sport’s top three national series.
Busch is survived by his wife Samantha and their children – son Brexton, 11, and daughter Lennix, four.
