CHARLOTTE, N.C. (THECOUNT) — Kyle Busch, the two-time NASCAR Cup Series champion and one of the winningest drivers in stock car racing history, has died at the age of 41, according to announcements Thursday from NASCAR and Richard Childress Racing.
Busch’s family had earlier released a statement Thursday indicating the veteran driver had been hospitalized with a severe illness.
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Officials did not immediately disclose the nature of the illness.
Later Thursday, NASCAR and Richard Childress Racing confirmed Busch’s death in a joint public statement.
“We extend our deepest condolences to the Busch family, Richard Childress Racing and the entire motorsports community,” NASCAR said.
Busch was widely regarded as one of the most accomplished and polarizing competitors in modern NASCAR history.
During a career spanning more than two decades at NASCAR’s highest levels, Busch amassed 63 NASCAR Cup Series victories and captured Cup Series championships in 2015 and 2019.
He also became the winningest driver in the history of both the NASCAR Xfinity Series — formerly known as the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series — and the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series.
Busch recorded 102 wins in NASCAR’s secondary national touring series and 69 victories in the Truck Series, establishing records that helped cement his reputation as one of the sport’s most versatile and dominant drivers.
Known by fans as “Rowdy,” Busch competed full-time in the NASCAR Cup Series beginning in 2005 and drove for several major organizations during his career before joining Richard Childress Racing in 2023.
His aggressive driving style, outspoken personality, and fierce competitiveness made him one of the sport’s most recognizable figures.
Busch also played a significant role in developing younger drivers through his ownership involvement in the Truck Series.
NASCAR and Richard Childress Racing described Busch as “a rare talent” and “a future Hall of Famer” in their joint statement announcing his passing.
“Kyle was fierce, passionate, immensely skilled and cared deeply about the sport and fans,” the statement read in part.
The organizations also expressed condolences to Busch’s wife Samantha, their children Brexton and Lennix, his parents, brother Kurt Busch, Richard and Judy Childress, teammates, and members of the broader racing community.
Busch’s death sent shockwaves throughout the motorsports world Thursday as fans, drivers, race teams, and industry figures reacted to the unexpected announcement.
Few drivers in NASCAR history generated as much fan reaction — both supportive and critical — as Busch, whose emotional and highly competitive demeanor became central to his public identity throughout his career.
Despite frequent controversy on and off the racetrack, Busch maintained one of the largest and most loyal fan bases in the sport, commonly referred to as “Rowdy Nation.”
Busch’s accomplishments placed him among NASCAR’s all-time elite drivers alongside some of the sport’s most decorated champions.
Over his career, Busch competed in hundreds of races across NASCAR’s national touring divisions while becoming one of the faces of modern stock car racing.
NASCAR officials requested privacy for Busch’s family as they mourn his death.
Additional information regarding memorial arrangements or the illness referenced by family members had not been released Thursday.
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