NASCAR’s Kyle Busch, a 2-time champion, dies
(NEXSTAR) — Prolific NASCAR driver Kyle Busch has died, NASCAR confirmed on Thursday. He was 41.
“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,” NASCAR wrote in a post to X on Thursday. “We extend our deepest condolences to the Busch family, Richard Childress Racing and the entire motorsports community.”
A cause of death was not released. His family, earlier in the day, reported that he had been hospitalized with a severe illness.
The news comes 11 days after Busch radioed into his crew near the end of a Cup Series race at Watkins Glen asking a doctor to give him a “shot” after he finished the race. According to the TV broadcast, Busch had been struggling with a sinus cold that was exacerbated by the intense G-forces and elevation changes at the New York road course. Busch was scheduled to compete at Charlotte Motor Speedway this weekend. He ranked 24th in the Cup Series standings, fueled by two top-10 finishes across 12 races. His last race was at Dover Motor Speedway on Sunday where he finished 17th after starting 23rd in the NASCAR All-Star race. He won the Trucks Series race for Richard Childress Racing.
In a joint statement on Thursday, Busch’s family, Richard Childress Racing and NASCAR, called Kyle Busch “a future Hall of Famer.”
“… [He] 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,” the statement read. “NASCAR lost a giant of the sport today, far too soon.”
Kyle followed his older brother, Kurt, into racing. It started with family go-karts before building to Late Model competition. As a 16-year-old, Kyle signed with Jack Roush, prepared to follow Kurt, who already gave him a glowing recommendation in 2001: “You think I’m a pretty good race car driver? Wait until you see my brother. He’s the best driver in the family.”
Unfortunately, as NASCAR recounted on Thursday, the minimum age for national series was pumped to 18, pausing Kyle’s entrance into the sport he would soon become a poster child for.
In May 2003, Busch made his debut in what is now known as the O’Reilly Series, finishing second behind Matt Kenseth at Charlotte Motor Speedway. In 2004, Busch broke into the scene further, racing in both the NACAR Craftsman Truck Series and the Cup Series.A polarizing figure known as “Rowdy” and “Wild Thing” for his post-race fights, regular feuds with other drivers and sometimes outlandish behavior, the multi-talented Busch stormed on the Cup Series scene in 2005 by winning Rookie of the Year.
He became well-known for his signature showman’s bow after each victory, NASCAR noted. Busch would go on to spend 15 years with Joe Gibbs Racing, racking up 56 Cup Series wins.
“Kyle was a fierce competitor, an incredible teammate, and, far more importantly, a devoted husband, father, and son,” Joe Gibbs Racing said in a statement posted to X on Thursday. “His impact on our organization and on the sport of NASCAR will never be forgotten. During this unimaginable time, everyone at Joe Gibbs Racing and the Gibbs family are lifting the Busch family up in prayer.”
Out of the driver’s seat, Busch served as a team owner in the Craftsman Truck Series, with Kyle Busch Motorsports recording 100 race wins between 2010 and 2023, including two championships.
