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The NASCAR world was stunned Thursday when Kyle Busch, one of the sport’s all-time greats, died suddenly at the age of 41.
Busch, 41, was hospitalized Thursday due to an undisclosed “serious illness,” according to a statement released by the Busch family. NASCAR, the Busch family and Richard Childress Racing announced the death Thursday night, but did not offer a cause of death.
When news of Busch’s death broke, his fellow NASCAR drivers mourned the loss of their competitor.
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Kyle Busch, driver of the No. 8 Zone Watermelon x Circle K Chevrolet, is introduced before 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 infamously got into a fistfight with Busch after a race about two years ago, but put aside their differences to pay tribute.
Many others paid their respects.
Busch’s last Cup Series victory came in June 2023. While he struggled for much of this season, Busch started on the pole in February’s Daytona 500 and was coming off a season-best eighth finish two weeks ago at Watkins Glen. He also just won a Truck Series race at Dover last week.
Kyle Busch looks on before the NASCAR Cup Series Food City 500 at Bristol Motor Speedway in Bristol, Tennessee, on March 17, 2024. (Jeffrey Vest/Icon Sportswire)
TWO-TIME NASCAR CUP SERIES CHAMPION KYLE BUSCH TRAGICALLY DIES AT AGE 41 AFTER HOSPITALIZATION
The statement announcing Busch’s death said that “the future Hall of Famer” was “a rare talent, one that comes along once in a generation. He was fierce, passionate, immensely skilled and 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 NASCAR’s three 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 victory came last weekend at Dover, when he led 147 laps in a dominant victory in the Truck Series.
Kyle Busch, driver of the No. 8 Cheddar’s/ALSCO Uniforms Chevrolet, watches during qualifying for the NASCAR Cup Series Bass Pro Shops Night Race at Bristol Motor Speedway in Bristol, Tennessee, on September 15, 2023. (Meg Oliphant/Getty Images)
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Busch leaves behind 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.
