Can’t even believe I’m having to write this right now.
Two-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Kyle Busch has passed away at the age of 41, after his family announced today that he had been hospitalized with a “serious illness.”
The news was confirmed by NASCAR:
“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.”
Busch first got his start in NASCAR back in 2003, in what’s now known as the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series (then-Busch Series) as a development driver for Hendrick Motorsports shortly after his 18th birthday.
Prior to even turning 18, Busch had proven himself a force to be reckoned with by winning races in the ARCA Series, and unlike most drivers, Hendrick decided to immediately put Busch into a Cup Series car during his first full-time season in 2004.
It was a move that paid off well, with Busch winning two races during his first season behind the wheel of the #5 car for Hendrick Motorsports.
Busch moved to Joe Gibbs Racing as driver of the iconic #18 car in 2008, where he won two championships during his 15 years with the team, in 2015 and again in 2019.
In 2023, he moved to Richard Childress Racing, winning 3 races during his first season with the team. His final Cup Series win came that year at Gateway, while his final NASCAR win came just days ago in the Craftsman Truck Series when Busch took the checkered flag at Dover in the #77 truck for Spire Motorsports.
Just two weeks ago at Watkins Glen, the driver of the #8 car for Richard Childress Racing wasn’t feeling well during the race and told his team to have a doctor meet him at his motorcoach after the race to give him a shot:
But last week during the All-Star Race at Dover, he brushed it off as sinuses and said he was getting better before going on to win the Truck Series race.
At the time of his death, Busch was the all-time winningest driver in NASCAR history, scoring a total of 234 wins including 63 Cup Series wins, 102 O’Reilly Auto Parts Series wins, and 69 Truck Series victories.
A joint statement was also released by his family along with Richard Childress Racing:
“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.”
No further information was given on the illness that led to his hospitalization and death. Busch is survived by his wife Samantha, his children, Brexton and Lennix, and his brother, fellow NASCAR legend Kurt Busch.
Man, I don’t even know what to say right now. I grew up watching Kyle Busch, and he was always as tough as they come. It just doesn’t feel real that he’s gone.
