Kyle Busch, two-time Nascar champion, dies aged 41 | US news
Two-time Nascar Cup Series champion Kyle Busch has died at age 41 after being hospitalized with a serious illness, Nascar announced in a statement Thursday.
“We are saddened and heartbroken to share the news of the passing of Kyle Busch, two-time Cup champion and one of the greatest and fiercest drivers in our sport. He was 41 years old,” the racing organization wrote on social media. “We extend our deepest condolences to the Busch family, Richard Childress Racing and the entire motorsports community.”
No cause of death was given.
Busch’s family announced his hospitalization earlier Thursday, saying he would not compete as planned in this weekend’s Nascar race in Charlotte, North Carolina.
During a May 10 Nascar Cup Series race at Watkins Glen, Busch radioed his crew to request medical help from Dr. Bill Heisel and a “shot” after the race. According to the TV show, Busch was suffering from a sinus cold exacerbated by the intense G-forces and altitude changes on the upstate New York road course.
Busch continued to race and finished eighth.
Busch ranked 24th in the Cup Series standings, with two top 10s in 12 races this season. The Las Vegas native won championships in 2015 and 2019. Busch was in his fourth season with Richard Childress Racing after winning titles with Joe Gibbs Racing.
Busch has won 234 races in Nascar’s three national series, more than any driver in history. His last victory dates back to 2023.
A polarizing figure known as “Rowdy” and “Wild Thing” for his post-race fights, regular feuds with other drivers and sometimes outlandish behavior, the multi-talented Busch burst onto the Cup Series scene in 2005 by winning Rookie of the Year.
During his career, he won 63 Cup Series races.
Busch is survived by his wife, Samantha, and his children Brexton and Lennix.
Associated Press contributed to this report
