Two-time NASCAR Cup Series Champion Kyle Busch died on Thursday after being hospitalized with an undisclosed “severe illness.”
His family, the Richard Childress Racing team and NASCAR put out a joint statement on his passing.
“Our entire NASCAR family is heartbroken by the loss of Kyle Busch. A future Hall of Famer, Kyle was a rare talent, one who comes along once in a generation. He was fierce, he was passionate, he was immensely skilled and he cared deeply about the sport and fans. Throughout a career that spanned more than two decades, Kyle set records in national series wins, won championships at NASCAR’s highest level and fostered the next generation of drivers as an owner in the Truck Series. His sharp wit and competitive spirit sparked a deep emotional connection with race fans of every age, creating the proud and loyal ‘Rowdy Nation.’ Our thoughts are with Samantha, Brexton and Lennix, Kyle and Samantha’s parents, Kurt and all of Kyle’s family, Richard and Judy Childress, everyone at Richard Childress Racing, his teammates, friends and fans. NASCAR lost a giant of the sport today, far too soon.”
The cause of death was not revealed.
“Kyle has experienced a severe illness resulting in hospitalization,” the Busch family said Thursday on social media. “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.”
Richard Childress Racing had announced in the morning that Busch would be missing the Coca-Cola 600 race weekend at Charlotte Motor Speedway and that its O’Reilly Auto Parts Series Driver, Austin Hill, would be filling in for him during the Cup Series race.
Busch is the winningest driver across NASCAR’s top three touring series with 234 wins, the most recent coming last week in the Truck Series at Dover Motor Speedway. HisCup Series tally of 63 wins puts him ninth on the all-time list.
Busch is survived by his wife Samantha and their two children, Brexton and Lennix.
This story has been updated with additional information
