NASCAR community mourns the loss of champion driver Kyle Busch
By Reid Spencer, NASCAR Wire Service
NASCAR Cup Series champion driver Kyle Busch has died at the age of 41.
Kyle Busch. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
A joint statement from the Busch family, Richard Childress Racing and NASCAR confirmed Friday afternoon that Busch had passed away after being hospitalized with a severe illness.
The statement in its entirety:
“On behalf of the Busch family, everyone at Richard Childress Racing and all of NASCAR, we are devastated to announce the sudden and tragic passing of Kyle Busch.
“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.
Kyle Busch celebrates after winning the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Ford EcoBoost 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway on November 22, 2015 in Homestead, Florida.
“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.
Kyle Busch, driver of the #18 Skittles Toyota, celebrates in Victory Lane after winning the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Crown Royal Presents the Jeff Kyle 400 at the Brickyard at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on July 26, 2015 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Kena Krutsinger/Getty Images)
“During this incredibly difficult time, we ask everyone to respect the family’s privacy and continue to keep them in your thoughts and prayers. Further updates will be shared as appropriate.”
As noted in the above statement, Busch is survived by his wife Samantha, son Brexton, 11, daughter Lennix, 4, father Tom Busch, mother Gaye Busch and brother Kurt Busch, himself a champion driver at NASCAR’s highest level.
In a NASCAR Cup Series career that doubtless will earn a place in the NASCAR Hall of Fame, Busch accumulated 63 victories, ninth all-time, and won championships in 2015 and 2019.
In addition, he holds records for wins in both the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series (102) and NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series (69), giving him more combined national series victories (234) than any other driver.
Busch claimed his most recent Truck Series victory last Friday at Dover Motor Speedway.
Busch began his career in NASCAR’s top division with Hendrick Motorsports, moved to Joe Gibbs Racing in 2008 and was driving the No. 8 Chevrolet for Richard Childress Racing when the sudden onset of illness ended his life.
Last weekend’s media center interview with Kye Busch –
Kyle Busch NASCAR Career Statistics
HOMESTEAD, FL – NOVEMBER 21: Kyle Busch (R), driver of the #18 Z-Line Designs Toyota, and his girlfriend Samantha Sarcinella pose in Victory Lane after winning the NASCAR Nationwide Series Championship and the Ford 300 at Homestead-Miami Speedway on November 21, 2009 in Homestead, Florida. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images)
TALLADEGA, ALABAMA – APRIL 23: Kyle Busch, driver of the #8 McLaren Custom Grills Chevrolet, celebrates with his son Brexton in victory lane after winning the NASCAR Cup Series GEICO 500 at Talladega Superspeedway on April 23, 2023 in Talladega, Alabama. (Photo by James Gilbert/Getty Images)
MIAMI – NOVEMBER 23: Kyle Busch (C), 2009 NASCAR Nationwide Series Champion, team owner Joe Gibbs (R) and president of Joe Gibbs Racing, J.D. Gibbs (L) pose with his trophy during the NASCAR Nationwide/Truck Series Banquet at Loews Miami Beach Hotel on November 23, 2009 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images for NASCAR)
LOUDON, NH – JULY 19: Kyle Busch, driver of the #18 Interstate Batteries Toyota, and his wife Samantha pose in Victory Lane with “Loudon the Lobster” after winning the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series 5-Hour ENERGY 301 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway on July 19, 2015 in Loudon, New Hampshire. (Photo by Rainier Ehrhardt/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN – JULY 26: Kyle Busch, driver of the #18 Skittles Toyota, celebrates in Victory Lane after winning the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Crown Royal Presents the Jeff Kyle 400 at the Brickyard at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on July 26, 2015 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Matt Sullivan/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN – JULY 26: Kyle Busch, driver of the #18 Skittles Toyota, celebrates in Victory Lane after winning the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Crown Royal Presents the Jeff Kyle 400 at the Brickyard at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on July 26, 2015 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Kena Krutsinger/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN – JULY 26: Kyle Busch, driver of the #18 Skittles Toyota, celebrates with his wife Samantha and their son Brexton by kissing the bricks after winning the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Crown Royal Presents the Jeff Kyle 400 at the Brickyard at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on July 26, 2015 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Sarah Crabill/NASCAR via Getty Images)
Kyle Busch celebrates after winning the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Ford EcoBoost 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway on November 22, 2015 in Homestead, Florida.
Kyle Busch celebrates after winning the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Ford EcoBoost 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway on November 22, 2015 in Homestead, Florida.
HOMESTEAD, FL – NOVEMBER 22: NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion Kyle Busch, driver of the #18 M&M’s Crispy Toyota, poses for a portrait at Homestead-Miami Speedway on November 22, 2015 in Homestead, Florida. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/NASCAR via Getty Images)
Kyle Busch, along with his wife Samantha and son Brexton poses for a portrait at Homestead-Miami Speedway on November 22, 2015 in Homestead, Florida.
HOMESTEAD, FLORIDA – NOVEMBER 17: Kyle Busch, driver of the #18 M&M’s Toyota and his crew chief Adam Stevens pose with the trophy after winning the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Championship at Homestead Speedway on November 17, 2019 in Homestead, Florida. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
HOMESTEAD, FLORIDA – NOVEMBER 17: Kyle Busch, driver of the #18 M&M’s Toyota poses with the trophy after winning the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Championship at Homestead Speedway on November 17, 2019 in Homestead, Florida. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
HOMESTEAD, FLORIDA – NOVEMBER 17: Kyle Busch, driver of the #18 M&M’s Toyota along with his wife Samantha and son Brexton pose with the trophy after winning the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Championship at Homestead Speedway on November 17, 2019 in Homestead, Florida. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE – DECEMBER 05: Kyle Busch attends the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Awards at Music City Center on December 05, 2019 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
NORTH WILKESBORO, NORTH CAROLINA – MAY 17: Kyle Busch, driver of the #07 Gainbridge Chevrolet, and daughter, Lennix Busch wait on the grid prior to the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Window World 250 at North Wilkesboro Speedway on May 17, 2025 in North Wilkesboro, North Carolina. (Photo by David Jensen/Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE – NOVEMBER 30: NASCAR Cup Series driver, Kyle Busch and wife, Samantha Busch pose for photos on the red carpet prior to the NASCAR Awards and Champion Celebration at the Music City Center on November 30, 2023 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
DAYTONA BEACH, FLORIDA – AUGUST 23: Kyle Busch, driver of the #8 Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen Chevrolet, looks on during the driver’s meeting prior to the NASCAR Cup Series Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona International Speedway on August 23, 2025 in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
DOVER, DELAWARE – JULY 20: Kyle Busch, driver of the #8 Cheddar’s Patriotic Chevrolet, waves to fans as he walks onstage during driver intros prior to the NASCAR Cup Series AutoTrader EchoPark Automotive 400 at Dover Motor Speedway on July 20, 2025 in Dover, Delaware. (Photo by Meg Oliphant/Getty Images)
MADISON, ILLINOIS – JUNE 04: Kyle Busch, driver of the #8 3CHI Chevrolet, poses next to his winner sticker in victory lane after winning the NASCAR Cup Series Enjoy Illinois 300 at WWT Raceway on June 04, 2023 in Madison, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
FORT WORTH, TEXAS – MAY 03: Kyle Busch, driver of the #8 7-Eleven Chevrolet, looks on during qualifying for the NASCAR Cup Series Würth 400 at Texas Motor Speedway on May 03, 2025 in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
FORT WORTH, TEXAS – MAY 01: Kyle Busch, driver of the #7 HendrickCars.com Chevrolet, looks on during qualifying for the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series SpeedyCash.com 250 at Texas Motor Speedway on May 01, 2026 in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by James Gilbert/Getty Images)
DOVER, DELAWARE – MAY 15: Kyle Busch, driver of the #7 HendrickCars.com Chevrolet, takes a bow after winning the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series ECOSAVE 200 at Dover Motor Speedway on May 15, 2026 in Dover, Delaware. (Photo by Meg Oliphant/Getty Images)
