NASCAR Champion Kyle Busch Dies at 41

NASCAR confirmed the death of two-time Cup Series champion Kyle Busch on Thursday at 41 years old. Busch passed away after being hospitalized with a severe illness, according to a joint statement from the Busch family, Richard Childress Racing, and NASCAR. The statement did not provide a cause of death.

Busch, who amassed 234 career wins across NASCAR's three national series, including 63 Cup Series victories, 102 Xfinity Series wins, and 69 Craftsman Truck Series wins, held the record for most combined national series victories. He secured Cup Series championships in 2015 and 2019 while driving for Joe Gibbs Racing.

His career spanned over two decades, beginning his Cup Series career in 2005 and earning Rookie of the Year honors. Busch last competed at Dover, winning a Truck Series race for Richard Childress Racing, and finishing 17th in the NASCAR All-Star race. He placed eighth in a Cup Series race at Watkins Glen 11 days prior to his death, reportedly dealing with a sinus cold during the event.

Busch is survived by his wife, Samantha, and their children, Brexton and Lennix. He was the younger brother of NASCAR Hall of Famer Kurt Busch.