Kyle Busch, a two-time NASCAR Cup Series champion and one of the most accomplished drivers in stock car racing history, died Thursday after being hospitalized with a severe illness, NASCAR announced. He was 41.
NASCAR, Busch’s family and Richard Childress Racing confirmed his death in a joint statement. A cause of death was not immediately released. Earlier Thursday, Busch’s family said he had been hospitalized and would not compete in this weekend’s Coca-Cola 600.
Busch, known across the sport as “Rowdy,” won Cup Series championships in 2015 and 2019. He collected 63 Cup victories and 234 wins across NASCAR’s three national series, making him one of the most prolific winners the sport has seen.
A Las Vegas native, Busch broke into the Cup Series with Hendrick Motorsports before becoming the face of Toyota’s rise in NASCAR during a long run with Joe Gibbs Racing. He moved to Richard Childress Racing in 2023, driving the No. 8 Chevrolet.
Busch’s career was marked by raw speed, fierce rivalries and rare range. He won at NASCAR’s top level, dominated in the Xfinity and Truck series, and built Kyle Busch Motorsports into a major Truck Series program before selling the team.
NASCAR called Busch a future Hall of Famer and “one who comes along once in a generation,” praising his talent, passion and impact on younger drivers.
Busch is survived by his wife, Samantha, and their children, Brexton and Lennix.
