
Kyle Busch, a two-time NASCAR Cup Series winner and 63-time race winner who captivated fans who was widely considered one of the greatest drivers in the sport's history, died Thursday. He was 41 years old.
"We are saddened and heartbroken to share the news of the passing of Kyle Busch, a two-time Cup champion and one of our sport's greatest and fiercest drivers," NASCAR said in a social media post. "He was 41 years old. We extend our deepest condolences to the Busch family, Richard Childress Racing and the entire motorsports community."
A native of Las Vegas, Nevada, Busch made his NASCAR Cup Series debut in 2004 before embarking on his rookie campaign in 2005. He won 63 races over 762 starts, taking the Cup Series championship with Joe Gibbs Racing in 2015 and 2019.
Busch is the winningest driver in NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series history and NASCAR O'Reilly Auto Parts Series history with 69 and 102 wins in each series, respectively.
We are saddened and heartbroken to share the news of the passing of Kyle Busch, a two-time Cup champion and one of our sport's greatest and fiercest drivers. He was 41 years old.
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) May 21, 2026
We extend our deepest condolences to the Busch family, Richard Childress Racing and the entire… pic.twitter.com/FARIF6OKrw
Busch was hospitalized with a severe illness, according to a statement put out on his social media account Thursday morning that announced he would not race this weekend at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
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