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NASCAR driver Casey Mears reflected on Kyle Busch’s death Friday, saying his impact on the sport of professional racing was “immeasurable.”
Busch died at the age of 41, hours after it was announced that he would forgo racing at Charlotte Motor Speedway this weekend due to a “serious illness that resulted in hospitalization.”
Mears appeared on Pakinomist Channel’s “Fox & Friends First” as he mourned Busch’s death.
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Casey Mears, driver of the No. 13 GEICO Chevrolet, leads Kyle Busch, driver of the No. 18 M&M’s Toyota, during practice for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Quaker State 400 at Kentucky Speedway in Sparta, Ky., on June 27, 2014. (Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
“I would say it’s really immeasurable. What he’s accomplished in the sport has been accomplished by no one else. Kyle has won so many races,” he said of Busch’s impact on the sport. “I mean, there was a stretch there for a handful of years where if Kyle didn’t win a Busch race, a Cup race or one of the truck races during the weekend, something was wrong because he was consistently winning races.
“I think at the end of the day he was just a tremendous competitor, you absolutely knew he was going to leave 110% on the table at all times. Just one of the best to ever be in a race car. The biggest thing is he just became such a great father, dad, husband, brother. I just think of everyone in the family. Tom and Gaye, his kids were obviously a real mom, and his brother. champion at home as a family man, too.”
NASCAR, the Busch family and Richard Childress Racing announced the death Thursday evening, but did not provide a cause of death.
“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,” the statement said. “Our entire NASCAR family is devastated by the loss of Kyle Busch. A future Hall of Famer, Kyle was a rare, once-in-a-generation talent. He was tough, he was passionate, he was immensely talented, and he cared deeply about the sport and the fans.
Kyle Busch celebrates his victory in the NASCAR Nationwide Series race in Victory Lane at Richmond International Raceway in Richmond, Va., on September 5, 2014. (Steve Helber/AP)
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“Throughout a career that spanned more than two decades, Kyle set national series wins records, 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 all ages, creating the proud and loyal ‘Rowdy Nation.’
“Our thoughts go out to 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, way too soon.
“During this incredibly difficult time, we ask that everyone respect the family’s privacy and continue to keep them in your thoughts and prayers. Further updates will be shared as needed.”
Busch was a two-time NASCAR Cup Series champion and had been in the series since 2004. He made 762 career starts with 63 wins. Busch won the championship in 2015 and 2019 and had 234 wins across all three NASCAR national series.
Kyle Busch celebrates his victory in the NASCAR Shelby 427 race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in Las Vegas on March 1, 2009. (Isaac Brekken/AP)
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Busch holds the all-time record for wins in both the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series (102) and the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series (69). His most recent win came last weekend at Dover when he led 147 laps in a dominating Truck Series win.
