Watch: NASCAR Driver Kyle Busch Dead at 41
Update: Hours after Kyle Busch‘s family shared he had been in the hospital battling a “severe illness,” his loved ones, alongside NASCAR and Richard Childress Racing, confirmed the racing legend has died. He was 41.
“Our entire NASCAR family is heartbroken by the loss of Kyle Busch,” they said in the statement shared to X May 21. “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.”
Highlighting his on-the-track prowess, the organization noted, “His Sharp wit and competitive spirit sparked a deep emotional connection with race fans of every age, creating the proud and loyal ‘Rowdy Nation.’”
After expressing support for his family, friends, colleagues and fans, NASCAR expressed that it had “lost a giant of the sport today, far too soon.”
Original Story: Kyle Busch is sidelined amid a health scare.
The NASCAR driver’s family announced the 41-year-old has experienced “a severe illness” that has landed him in the hospital.
“He is currently undergoing treatment,” the May 21 statement posted to his social media continued, “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.”
In addition to the Cup race at the event, Busch—who shares kids Brexton, 11, and Lennix, 4, with wife Samantha Busch—was also scheduled to compete in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race in Concord, North Carolina on May 22.
This marks the first time in more than a decade Busch has missed a Cuper Series Race, the previous time occurring in 2015 when he was recovering from a compound leg fracture and broken foot. At the time, the injury—sustained in a crash—caused him to miss the first 11 races of the season.
Following the announcement of his hospitalization, Richard Childress Racing (RCR) expressed its support for its driver and his family.
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“Kyle Busch’s health is our upmost priority and he and his family have the full resources of RCR behind them,” RCR said in a statement, per ESPN. “Kyle is an integral part of our organization and we wish him a safe and speedy recovery. His No. 8 Chevrolet will be ready and waiting for him.”
Noting that driver Austin Hill would be stepping in amid Busch’s absence, RCR continued, “Please keep Kyle and the Busch family in your prayers, and help us respect the family’s privacy at this time.”
Eleven days earlier, during a Cup Series race at Watkins Glen, Busch radioed to his crew that he needed medical aid and a “shot” after the race, according to ESPN. The outlet reported, citing the TV broadcast at the time, that the driver had been struggling with a sinus cold that became exacerbated under the G-forces during the race.
He ultimately finished in eighth place during the race.
Busch, across NASCAR’s three national series, has won 234 races—the most of any driver in history.
On May 15, Busch claimed a record fifth Craftsman Truck Series trophy at Dover Motor Speedway. On the accomplishment, he quipped, “I guess I just remembered how to drive.”
As for how many more races he hoped to win in the duration of his professional career, he said, “You take whatever you can get, man. You never know when the last one is going to be, so cherish them all—trust me.”
Keep reading for a look back at Kyle’s sweet moments when his family…
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