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NASCAR icon Kyle Busch, a two-time Cup Series champion who has won more races across the sport’s three national series than any other driver in history, has died at the age of 41, the racing series announced Thursday.
The Busch Family, Richard Childress Racing and NASCAR issued a joint statement Thursday saying that Busch died after being hospitalized as the result of a severe illness, three days before he was to compete at the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. No cause of death was given.
“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,” NASCAR said in a statement. “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.”
Busch ranked 24th in the Cup Series standings this season, with two top-10 finishes in 12 races. The Las Vegas native won championships in 2015 and 2019. Busch was in his fourth season at Richard Childress Racing after winning titles with Joe Gibbs Racing.
His last win came in 2023, his first with RCR.
One of NASCAR’s most polarizing personalities, Busch won 234 races across the sport’s three national series, more than any driver in history.
He won 63 Cup Series races, which ranks ninth all-time.
“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,” NASCAR said in its statement. “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.”
Busch’s sudden death shocked the racing world Thursday.
Absolutely cannot comprehend this news. We just need to think of his family during this time. We love you KB. https://t.co/cpaXg2HZGF
— Denny Hamlin (@dennyhamlin) May 21, 2026
Absolute shock. Very hard to process. Hug your loved ones
— Brad Keselowski (@keselowski) May 21, 2026
— John Hunter Nemechek (@JHNemechek) May 21, 2026
The Indianapolis Motor Speedway, where Busch won the Brickyard 400 in 2015 and 2016 — as well as the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series races those years — remembered “Rowdy” as a “fan favorite, loved for his competitive spirit and passion.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
