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<\/p>\nCONCORD, N.C. (TNND) \u2014 Two-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Kyle Busch has died at age 41, NASCAR announced on Thursday.<\/p>\n
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. He was 41 years old.We extend our deepest condolences to the Busch family, Richard Childress Racing and the entire motorsports community.”<\/p>\n
Busch’s death was announced by the Busch family, NASCAR and Richard Childress racing after his team indicated early on Thursday that Busch had been hospitalized with a severe illness. <\/p>\n
Busch was in his 22nd full-time season in NASCAR’s top division, where he won two Cup Series titles in 2015 and 2019, as well as 63 races, putting him ranked ninth on the circuit’s all-time win list. <\/p>\n
Across the other two national NASCAR Series, Busch had 102 victories in the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series and 69 wins in the Craftsman Truck Series. <\/p>\n
The Busch family, Richard Childress Racing and NASCAR issued the following joint statement after news of his passing was released: “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.”<\/p>\n
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\u2019s 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 \u2018Rowdy Nation.\u2019 Our thoughts are with Samantha, Brexton and Lennix, Kyle and Samantha\u2019s parents, Kurt and all of Kyle\u2019s 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.”<\/p>\n
“During this incredibly difficult time, we ask everyone to respect the family\u2019s privacy and continue to keep them in your thoughts and prayers. Further updates will be shared as appropriate,” the statement read. <\/p>\n
Busch previously drove for three Hall of Fame team owners in Cup, getting his start with Hendrick Motorsports in 2005. He joined Joe Gibbs Racing in 2008 and entered a long-running partnership, making him the face of Toyota’s NASCAR endeavors. In the last years of his career, Busch joined Childress in 2023, driving the No. 8 Chevrolet. <\/p>\n
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DOVER, DELAWARE – MAY 15: Kyle Busch, driver of the #7 HendrickCars.com Chevrolet, takes a bow after winning the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series ECOSAVE 200 at Dover Motor Speedway on May 15, 2026 in Dover, Delaware. (Photo by Meg Oliphant\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n
During his career, Busch was well-loved by his supporters and often booed loudly by his detractors, NASCAR shared. <\/p>\n
Busch was born on May 2, 1985, into a racing family in Las Vegas. His father, Tom, was a mechanic who raced locally after he and his wife, Gaye, moved from Illinois. <\/p>\n
His brother, Kurt, was seven years older and served as an inspiration for Busch to compete on the racetrack. In 2001, Kurt notably said, “You think I\u2019m a pretty good race car driver? Wait until you see my brother. He\u2019s the best driver in the family.”<\/p>\n
Busch is survived by his parents and his wife, Samantha, whom he married on New Year\u2019s Eve in 2010, and two children: Brexton, who turned 11 on Monday, and his 4-year-old daughter Lennix.<\/p>\n