NASCAR icon Kyle Busch dies at the age of 41

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          Marty Smith reacts to the death of Kyle Busch (4:02)

          Marty Smith shares his thoughts on NASCAR icon Kyle Busch, who has died at the age of 41. (4:02)

          • ESPN News Services
          May 21, 2026, 05:49 PM ET

          NASCAR icon Kyle Busch, a two-time Cup Series champion who won more races across the sport's three national series than any driver in history, died at the age of 41 on Thursday, the racing series announced.

          The Busch family, Richard Childress Racing and NASCAR issued a joint statement saying that Busch died after being hospitalized earlier in the day as the result of a severe illness, three days before he was to compete at the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. No cause of death was given.

          "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," NASCAR said in a 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."

          Busch was testing in the Chevrolet racing simulator in Concord, North Carolina, on Wednesday when he became unresponsive and was transported to a hospital in Charlotte, several people familiar with the situation told The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because details had not been disclosed by Busch's team or family.

          Busch, the younger brother of NASCAR Hall of Famer Kurt Busch, is survived by his wife, Samantha, and children, Brexton and Lennix.

          The news comes 11 days after Kyle Busch radioed into his crew near the end of a Cup Series race at Watkins Glen asking a doctor to give him a "shot" after he finished the race. According to the television broadcast, Busch had been struggling with a sinus cold that was exacerbated by the intense g-forces and elevation changes at the New York road course.

          Busch finished the race in eighth place.

          Busch competed at Dover last weekend and won the Truck Series race for Spire Motorsports. He finished 17th at the NASCAR All-Star race with Richard Childress Racing.

          "Absolutely cannot comprehend this news," NASCAR driver and former teammate Denny Hamlin posted on social media. "We just need to think of his family during this time. We love you KB."

          Added veteran NASCAR driver Brad Keselowski on X: "Absolute shock. Very hard to process."

          Busch ranked 24th in the Cup Series standings this season, with two top-10 finishes in 12 races. The Las Vegas native won championships with Joe Gibbs Racing in 2015 and 2019. Busch was in his fourth season at Richard Childress Racing.

          His last win came in 2023, his first with RCR.

          From Las Vegas, Busch experienced unrivaled success across NASCAR's three national series, winning a combined 234 Cup, O'Reilly Auto Parts and Truck Series races -- more than any driver in history.

          He had 63 Cup victories, which ranks ninth all time, along with 102 O'Reilly Auto Parts wins and 69 Truck victories -- both records.

          "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," NASCAR said in its statement. "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."

          Busch's sudden death shocked the racing world Thursday.

          "There aren't really words for today," driver Ricky Stenhouse Jr. posted to social media. "I've raced against Kyle for a long time, and anyone who's lined up next to him knows exactly what made him special, he gave you everything he had, every single lap, and he made all of us better for it. ... Rest easy, Rowdy. The sport won't be the same without you."

          A polarizing figure known as "Rowdy" and "Wild Thing" for his postrace fights, regular feuds with other drivers and sometimes outlandish behavior, the multitalented Busch stormed onto the Cup Series scene in 2005 by winning Rookie of the Year.

          "Kyle was one of the greatest drivers in NASCAR history. No one can deny that," Dale Earnhardt Jr. posted to X. "But he was also a father, a husband, brother, son, and a friend to many. My heart is broken for the Busch family. I will never be able to make sense of this loss but I am thankful that we had found a way to become friends."

          Earnhardt acknowledged a "really challenging existence" with Busch for many years, but he said that the two had resolved their differences.

          "I was super eager for us to get on better terms," Earnhardt said. "But it was he who made the effort for that to be possible."

          The Indianapolis Motor Speedway, where Busch won the Brickyard 400 in 2015 and 2016 -- as well as the O'Reilly Auto Parts Series races at the track those years -- remembered Rowdy as a "fan favorite, loved for his competitive spirit and passion."

          The Formula 1 racing series expressed its condolences to the NASCAR community, remembering Busch as "a true competitor and champion."

          Kyle Busch was viewed as a racing prodigy.

          He was said to be ready to race at NASCAR's top level at 16, but a cigarette settlement banned his debut, and he had to wait until he was 18. Said Kurt Busch at the time: "If you think I'm good, wait until you see my brother."

          Busch was fired early in his career by Hendrick Motorsports, where he was a teammate of Hall of Fame drivers Jimmie Johnson and Jeff Gordon, to make room on the team for Earnhardt.

          "Kyle Busch wasn't just one of the fiercest competitors our sport has ever seen, he was one of the most talented race car drivers I've ever shared a track with," Johnson posted to X. "... Kyle pushed all of us to be better. His passion, intensity, and love for racing were unmatched, and his impact on this sport will be felt forever. ... NASCAR lost one of its greatest talents today, and we've all lost a friend."

          Added Gordon: "As teammates, I saw firsthand the passion and intensity he brought to the sport every single day. He was a champion and prolific racer who made a tremendous impact on NASCAR and was a lifelong advocate for all forms of motor sports. But beyond the track, he loved his family deeply and was incredibly proud."

          Said Hendrick Motorsports owner Rick Hendrick: "This is an incredibly painful shock for all of us and a heartbreaking loss for the NASCAR family. Kyle was one of the most talented drivers I've ever seen and a racer in the truest sense of the word. He had a fire and competitive spirit that drove him to be great. I watched Kyle grow up in this sport and valued the friendship we shared long after he drove for our organization. As much as he loved to drive a race car, nothing brought him more joy than being a husband, a father and watching his son race. On behalf of everyone at Hendrick Motorsports, our hearts are with Samantha, Brexton, Lennix, Kurt and the Busch family."

          Busch moved on to Joe Gibbs Racing, where he experienced the vast majority of career success, but he was let go when there was no sponsor after the 2022 season. He joined RCR, where he struggled to win races.

          His lack of success led to a recent spat with Hamlin, his former JGR teammate, who appeared to criticize Busch on the "Actions Detrimental" podcast by saying, "If you're expecting Kyle Busch to just go back to Victory Lane on a regular basis, you are kidding yourselves."

          Though Hamlin later said he meant no harm by the comments and was just making an observation, Busch took exception and said he could make Hamlin's life "hell" on the racetrack.

          While several laps down at last month's race at Kansas, Busch made good on the threat and raced Hamlin hard instead of allowing the race leader to pass. That decision held up Hamlin during a crucial stage of the race and Tyler Reddick wound up winning it after Hamlin faded late.

          After winning the Truck race at Dover last week and showing an uptick in speed, Busch seemed to make a veiled jab at Hamlin.

          "I guess I just remembered how to drive," Busch said.

          After earning his win at Dover, Busch was asked how many races he wants to win in his career before he stops racing.

          "You take whatever you can get, man," Busch said. "You never know when the last one is going to be, so cherish them all -- trust me."

          The unexpected death is the latest tragedy to hit NASCAR. In December, former driver Greg Biffle, his wife and two children and three others died in a plane crash in Statesville, North Carolina.

          NASCAR officials said the Coca-Cola 600 will go on as planned Sunday. Drivers are expected to begin making their way to Charlotte Motor Speedway on Friday, with practice and qualifying beginning Saturday.

          After news earlier Thursday of Busch's hospitalization, RCR had announced that Austin Hill would be the replacement driver in the No. 8 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1.

          The Associated Press contributed to this report.