By David Morgan, Associate Editor
Two-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Kyle Busch has passed away at age 41.
Busch’s passing was announced by the Busch Family on Thursday afternoon, with the sudden news coming on the same day that they announced Busch had been hospitalized for a “severe illness” sidelining him from the weekend’s activities at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
The Las Vegas native broke onto the NASCAR scene in the early 2000’s, rising to become one of the sport’s greatest stars in the years since, amassing 234 victories across all three NASCAR national series, including 63 Cup Series wins, two Cup championships, and another title in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series.
Busch followed in the footsteps of older brother Kurt, a NASCAR Cup Series champion and Hall of Famer himself, with the two brothers racing side-by-side until the 2022 season.
“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,” a joint statement from the Busch Family, Richard Childress Racing, and NASCAR 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 made his Cup Series debut in 2004 driving for Hendrick Motorsports, where he competed until the 2008 season in which he moved over to Joe Gibbs Racing and found the most success of his career.
In his time behind the wheel of the No. 18 car, Busch won both of his Cup Series championships, the first of which came in a season where he staged a dramatic comeback from a broken leg and foot to return to the cockpit and storm back to secure the title in 2015. He added onto his legacy with his second championship in 2019.
Busch moved over to Richard Childress Racing in 2023, where he raced until his passing, securing the final three wins of his Cup Series career driving the No. 8 Chevrolet.
His final win came in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series driving for Spire Motorsports at Dover, less than a week before his untimely death.
In addition to his accolades behind the wheel, Busch and his wife Samantha also ran Kyle Busch Motorsports, a successful Truck Series team that amassed 100 victories during its time in operation from 2010 to 2023.
Along with his wife, Busch is also survived by his two children Brexton, 11, and Lennix, 4.
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