Kyle Busch, the two-time NASCAR Cup Series champion who won more races than any driver across the sport's three national series, died Thursday at age 41 after being hospitalized with a severe illness, according to people familiar with the situation.
Busch became unresponsive while testing in a Chevrolet racing simulator in Concord, North Carolina, on Wednesday and was transported to a hospital in Charlotte. The death came three days before he was scheduled to compete in the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Details have not been disclosed by Busch's team or family.
The driver known as Wild Thing, Outlaw, Rowdy and KFB over his 26-year career had recently battled a sinus cold that worsened during the Cup Series race at Watkins Glen. He radioed his crew near the end of that event and asked for a shot from a doctor upon finishing, broadcasters reported. Busch placed eighth there before competing at Dover last weekend, where he won his final Trucks Series start for Spire and finished 17th in the All-Star race.
Busch grew to expect and even appreciate the boos that followed many of his victories. He leaned into the villain role as the wins mounted and encouraged fans to jeer louder before responding with his signature bow. "This is a devastating loss and one that is hard for the NASCAR community to process," four-time Cup Series champion Jeff Gordon said. "Kyle was a fierce competitor who demanded the very best from himself each time he put on the helmet."
Gordon added that as teammates he saw the passion and intensity Busch brought daily. "He was a champion and a prolific racer who made a tremendous impact on NASCAR and was a lifelong advocate for all forms of motor sports," Gordon said. "But beyond the track, he loved his family deeply and was incredibly proud of Samantha, Brexton and Lennix."
Busch notched a combined 234 wins, including 63 in the Cup Series, 102 in the O'Reilly series and 69 in Trucks. He captured championships in 2015 and 2019 while driving for Joe Gibbs Racing. His first title came after missing part of the season recovering from two broken legs. He was let go from JGR in 2022 after losing his M&M's sponsor.
Busch landed at Richard Childress Racing and won three of the first 15 races in 2023 with the new Next Gen car. His last Cup victory came at World Wide Technology Raceway in Illinois that year. He went winless in his final 105 starts and ranked 24th in points after 12 races this season. "It's no secret, right? And seeing my son and his passion that he has; he really is probably my biggest cheerleader," Busch said at Daytona International Speedway in February. "He wants to see me run well. He wants to see me win races."
Busch and wife Samantha chronicled their struggle to become parents and founded the Bundle of Joy Fund to advance access to IVF care. The fund has raised more than $2 million and celebrated the birth of 111 babies. He sold his successful Truck Series team to support the racing career of his 11-year-old son Brexton.
Busch stormed into the Cup Series in 2005 and won Rookie of the Year honors at Hendrick Motorsports before being released to make room for Dale Earnhardt Jr. His career included post-race fights and feuds, yet he remained one of NASCAR's most popular drivers thanks to his longtime M&M's sponsorship. Kids flocked to his colorful No. 18 Toyota.
Older fans often jeered when Busch took the checkered flag, prompting his mocking bow. "You take whatever you can get, man," Busch said after his final Truck Series win. "You never know when the last one is going to be, so cherish them all — trust me."
An in memoriam photo of Busch was displayed on the video board at Charlotte Motor Speedway on Friday. Tributes poured in highlighting his unrivaled success and status as arguably the greatest driver of his generation. Busch never won the Daytona 500, a fact that bothered him along with his recent performance slump.
Busch is survived by his wife Samantha and children Brexton and Lennix. NASCAR officials said the sport had lost one of its fiercest competitors whose impact extended far beyond the track.