NASCAR legend Kyle Busch dies at 41 after sudden hospitalization for severe illness
OAN Staff Sophia Flores
3:03 PM – Thursday, May 21, 2026
Two time-NASCAR Cup Series champion Kyle Busch has tragically died at the age of 41.
On Thursday, Busch’s racing team, Richard Childress Racing, and NASCAR, announced his passing in a joint statement
“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.”
His passing comes just hours after the Busch family confirmed that he would not compete in Sunday’s Coca-Cola 600 at the Charlotte Motor Speedway — due to being hospitalized with a severe illness.
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