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The NASCAR world was shocked Thursday when Kyle Busch, one of the sport’s greats, died suddenly at the age of 41.
Busch, 41, was hospitalized Thursday with an undisclosed but “serious illness,” according to a statement from the Busch family. NASCAR, the Busch family and Richard Childress Racing announced the death Thursday evening, but did not provide a cause of death.
As news of Busch’s death broke, other NASCAR drivers mourned their lost competitor.
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Kyle Busch, driver of the No. 8 Zone Watermelon x Circle K Chevrolet, will be introduced prior to the NASCAR Cup Series Würth 400 at Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth, Texas on May 3, 2026. (James Gilbert/Getty Images)
One of those drivers was Ricky Stenhouse Jr., who had an infamous fistfight with Busch after a race about two years ago, but he put aside their differences to pay tribute.
Many others paid their respects.
Busch’s last Cup Series victory came in June 2023. While struggling for most of this season, Busch started on the pole in February’s Daytona 500 and was coming off a season-best eighth-place finish two weeks ago at Watkins Glen. He also just won a Truck Series race at Dover last week.
Kyle Busch watches before the NASCAR Cup Series Food City 500 at Bristol Motor Speedway in Bristol, Tenn., on March 17, 2024. (Jeffrey West/Icon Sportswire)
TWO-TIME NASCAR CUP SERIES CHAMPION KYLE BUSCH TRAGICALLY DIES 41 YEARS AFTER HOSPITALITY
The statement announcing Busch’s death said “the future Hall of Famer” was “a rare talent, a once-in-a-generation talent. He was tough, he was passionate, he was tremendously talented, and he cared deeply about the sport and the fans.”
Busch had been in the Cup Series since 2004, making 762 career starts with 63 wins. Busch won the championship in 2015 and 2019 and had 234 wins across all three NASCAR national series.
He is the all-time record holder 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.
Kyle Busch, driver of the No. 8 Cheddar’s/ALSCO Uniforms Chevrolet, looks on during qualifying for the NASCAR Cup Series Bass Pro Shops Night Race at Bristol Motor Speedway in Bristol, Tenn., on Sept. 15, 2023. (Meg Oliphant/Getty Images)
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Busch is survived by his wife, Samantha, and two children. He is the first active NASCAR Cup Series driver to die since Dale Earnhardt died on the final lap of the 2001 Daytona 500.
