Kyle Busch, a two-time NASCAR Cup Series champion and the winningest driver across NASCAR’s three national series, died at 41 following hospitalization for a severe illness, his family, Richard Childress Racing and NASCAR announced on May 21.
No cause of death was disclosed. Busch had been scheduled to compete in the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway three days later but was sidelined after being admitted for treatment. His social media account said earlier in the day that he would miss the weekend’s activities while undergoing care.
Across a career spanning more than two decades, Busch won 63 Cup Series races and a combined 234 victories in NASCAR’s national divisions, placing him ninth on the all-time Cup wins list. He claimed championships in 2015 and 2019 while driving for Joe Gibbs Racing before joining Richard Childress Racing.
Known by the nickname Rowdy, Busch is survived by his wife Samantha and children Brexton and Lennix. Eleven days before his death, he had radioed his crew during a race at Watkins Glen asking for medical assistance after struggling with a sinus illness exacerbated by G-forces on the road course.
Busch also won 102 races in the NASCAR Xfinity Series and 69 in the Craftsman Truck Series, totals that established him as the most prolific winner across the sport’s national divisions. NASCAR said the motorsport community was devastated by the sudden loss of one of its most competitive drivers.
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Sources:
https://www.npr.org/sections/news