The motor racing community has been devastated by the news that two-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Kyle Busch has died Thursday from a sudden, undisclosed illness at just 41 years old.
Busch was competing in his 22nd season in NASCAR’s top flight, where he won the 2015 and 2019 Cup Series championships, and collected 63 race victories driving for Hendrick Motorsports, Joe Gibbs Racing, and Richard Childress Racing. He was the all-time wins leader in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series with 102 victories, and in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, where he won 69 races – including the most recent Truck Series race, this past weekend at Dover International Speedway.
His cumulative 234 victories across all three major championships are the most of any driver all-time.
Kyle was the youngest of two gifted racing brothers from Las Vegas, his brother Kurt was also a NASCAR Cup Series champion during a distinguished career which saw him inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame earlier this year.
Months after winning his second NASCAR Cup Series title, in 2020 Kyle Busch followed in the footsteps of many other NASCAR legends who’ve guest starred at the IMSA Rolex 24 At Daytona.
Driving a Vasser Sullivan Racing (then AIM Vasser Sullivan) Lexus RC F GT3, Busch and co-drivers Jack Hawksworth, Parker Chase, and Michael de Quesada finished ninth in the GTD class, completing 757 laps.
A statement from NASCAR reads: “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 (wife) Samantha, (son) Brexton and (daughter) 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.
“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.”
DSC would also like to extend our sympathies to the Busch family, and to all within the greater NASCAR and IMSA communities.
Images courtesy of IMSA
