Kyle Busch, one of the most decorated drivers in NASCAR history, has died, NASCAR announced. He was 41 and rushed to the hospital with a severe illness, according to his family.
Busch, 41, was scheduled to compete this weekend at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
“Kyle has experienced a severe illness resulting in hospitalization,” the Busch family said. “He is currently undergoing treatment and will not compete in any of his scheduled activities this weekend at Charlotte Motor Speedway. We ask for understanding and privacy as our family navigates this situation.”
Busch had been dealing with illness in recent weeks. At Watkins Glen on May 10, FOX Sports noted during the broadcast that he had been fighting a sinus cold. He overheard radioing for the track doctor during that race. He actually finished eighth that day, his best result of the season. He also won a Truck Series race at Dover the following weekend.
Busch is one of the most accomplished drivers of his generation. The Las Vegas native won Cup championships in 2015 and 2019 with Joe Gibbs Racing and holds the record for Cup Series victories with 63. He dominated NASCAR’s lower series throughout his career, winning Xfinity and Truck Series races by the dozens while regularly competing at all three levels simultaneously.
He joined RCR ahead of the 2023 season and won in his first year with the team. This season has been more difficult. He sits 24th in the standings with two top 10 finishes in 12 races and was in the final year of his contract.
He is survived by his wife, Samantha, and their two children; son Brexton, 11, and daughter Lennix, 4. The couple co-founded the Bundle of Joy Foundation, a nonprofit providing financial support to couples undergoing fertility treatments, after a difficult and public road to parenthood.
This is a developing story. Check back for more updates.
This article originally appeared on The Detroit News: Legendary NASCAR driver Kyle Busch dies at 41
Reporting by Kristie Ackert, The Detroit News / The Detroit News
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
