Kyle Busch, one of the most decorated drivers in NASCAR history, has died suddenly at the age of 41.

The two-time Cup Series champion and father of two passed away on Thursday, just hours after he was hospitalized with a mystery ‘severe illness.’

The Las Vegas native, who competed in more than 760 races during a storied 24-year career, is survived by his wife, Samantha, and their two children, Brexton, 11, and Lennix, four. The family celebrated Brexton’s birthday just three days before Busch’s passing. 

A cause of death has not been released, but tributes have flooded in from NASCAR and across the racing world following the announcement of his shock passing.

‘Our entire NASCAR family is heartbroken by the loss of Kyle Busch,’ NASCAR shared in a statement on behalf of Busch’s family and his team, Richard Childress Racing. 

‘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. 

NASCAR driver Kyle Busch has died at the age of 41 shortly after being hospitalized

Busch is survived by his wife, Samantha, and son Brexton, who celebrated his 11th birthday just three days ago, and daughter Lennix, four. Pictured in 2023

The two-time Cup Series champion was hospitalized just hours before his death. Busch is pictured with his wife Samantha at the 2023 NASCASR Awards in Nashville

‘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. During this incredibly difficult time, we ask everyone to respect the family’s privacy and continue to keep them in your thoughts and prayers.’ 

The heartbreaking news of Busch’s sudden passing rocked the racing world on Thursday evening.  

His former team, Joe Gibbs Racing, led the tributes, sharing: ‘Our hearts are broken for Samantha, Brexton, Lennix, and the entire Busch family. Kyle was a fierce competitor, an incredible teammate, and, far more importantly, a devoted husband, father, and son. His impact on our organization and on the sport of NASCAR will never be forgotten.

‘During this unimaginable time, everyone at Joe Gibbs Racing and the Gibbs family are lifting the Busch family up in prayer.’ 

‘Absolute shock. Very hard to process,’ veteran NASCAR driver Brad Keselowski posted on social media.

The Las Vegas native won championships in 2015 and 2019 with Joe Gibbs Racing

Busch and his wife Samantha had been embraced by Trump for their work promoting IVF

The family celebrated Brexton’s 11th birthday just three days before Busch’s passing

NASCAR driver and former teammate Denny Hamlin wrote: ‘Absolutely cannot comprehend this news. We just need to think of his family during this time. We love you KB.’ 

‘What the hell? Awful out of nowhere news. RIP Rowdy,’ Barstool chief Dave Portnoy added.  

It emerged earlier on Thursday that Busch had been pulled from this weekend’s Coca-Cola 600 in Charlotte, where he would be replaced by Austin Hill for his team Richard Childress Racing.

No further details of Busch’s condition were shared at the time. However, his hospitalization came less than two weeks after he made a mid-race request for medical aid. 

During a Cup Series race on May 10 at Watkins Glen, Busch radioed in to his crew requesting medical aid from Dr. Bill Heisel and a ‘shot’ after the race. 

According to the TV broadcast, Busch had been struggling with a sinus cold that was exacerbated by the intense G-forces and elevation changes at the Upstate New York road course. Busch continued to race and finished eighth.

Brushing off the incident, Busch went on to claim his record fifth NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series trophy days later on May 15. Following his death, which came six days after the victory, a heartbreaking clip of Busch’s post-race interview resurfaced. 

After earning his 69th career Trucks Series race win with the triumph at Dover, Busch was asked how many races he wanted 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.’

Busch celebrates  after winning the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series ECOSAVE 200 on May 15

Samantha Busch was invited to the White House by Donald Trump following her campaign efforts to make in vitro fertilization more affordable. The influencer is pictured in 2023

Busch, the younger brother of NASCAR Hall of Famer Kurt Busch, ranked 24th in the Cup Series standings, with two top-10 finishes in 12 races this season. 

The Las Vegas native won championships in 2015 and 2019 with Joe Gibbs Racing and was in the midst of his fourth season at Richard Childress Racing when he suddenly fell ill. 

His last win came in 2023, which marked his first with RCR. The victory took his total to 234 wins in races across the sport’s three national series, more than any driver in history.

He has won 63 Cup Series races, including the 2018 Coca-Cola 600.

Away from the track, Busch and his wife have publicly campaigned to make in vitro fertilization more accessible. 

The couple, who welcomed both their children through IVF, ran the Bundle of Joy Fund, which attempts to help families remove the financial burdens of getting fertility treatments. 

Their efforts attracted the attention of Donald Trump, who invited Samantha to the White House last year to discuss the president’s efforts to lower the cost of treatments. 

Known as ‘Rowdy’ and ‘Wild Thing’, Busch had become a polarizing figure in the sport thanks to his post-race fights and feuds with fellow drivers.

Busch drinks champagne after winning the Nationwide series championship in 2009 

Busch (No 8) radioed in to his crew requesting medical aid during a race on May 10 

Busch celebrates his 2010 win in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series’ Autism Speaks 400 auto race

His most recent spat came when former Joe Gibbs Racing teammate Hamlin appeared to criticize Busch over his recent lack of success on the Actions Detrimental podcast.

Hamlin said: ‘If you’re expecting Kyle Busch to just go back to Victory Lane on a regular basis, you are kidding yourselves.’

While 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 raced Hamlin hard instead of allowing the race leader to pass. That decision held up Hamlin during a crucial stage of the race.

Tyler Reddick wound up winning the race after Hamlin faded late, finishing fourth despite a race-leading 131 laps.