Bubba Wallace gets emotional after seeing Kyle Busch's No. 8 at Charlotte Motor Speedway

Kyle Busch, a two-time NASCAR Cup Series champion who was the sport's winningest driver, died on Thursday from pneumonia and sepsis. He was 41.

The untimely passing of Busch comes days after his last win at Dover in the Craftsman Truck Series as part of NASCAR's All-Star weekend. The younger brother of NASCAR Hall of Famer Kurt Busch, is survived by his wife, Samantha, and children, Brexton and Lennix.

NASCAR is home this weekend for the Coke 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. The surreal gathering in Concord has been emotional for many, including Bubba Wallace. The Cup series veteran was at CMS on Saturday and spotted praying on the No. 8 painted on the grass in the infield area.

Bubba Wallace kneeling over the Kyle Busch's no. 8 that is painted in the infield at Charlotte Motor Speedway. #CocaCola600 #NASCAR pic.twitter.com/BmljwvvGSA

Wallace paid tribute to Busch on social media after receiving news of his death.

"My eyes hurt from all the crying, my heart hurts from the pain," Wallace wrote on Instagram. "Just Sunday, mid race I thought about Kyle Busch and the one of many lessons that he had taught me. “Is it loose? Drive thru it and trust it Kyle was a monumental factor in who Bubba Wallace is today. I sit here and look at all things around me and all the things I’ve been able to accomplish.. Kyle played a role in every aspect. That’s what hurts the most. An icon and a legend that I looked up to…is no longer with us.

"Myself along with many other drivers, crew chiefs, mechanics, etc… learned so much from Kyle. His legacy will continue to transcend in this sport for years to come. Honored to have shared the same race track with one of the best to ever do it. Thank you for all you’ve done for me. I will miss my drafting buddy on the plate races. Rest easy my brother. Love to you and your family!"

According to TMZ, Busch was found unresponsive at the General Motors Charlotte technical center on Wednesday. He was taken to a local hospital where he died on Thursday.

The Busch family, Richard Childress Racing and NASCAR issued a joint statement Thursday, 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 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.

More Kyle Busch News news:

• Kyle Busch dies at 41 after NASCAR driver hospitalized with 'severe illness’
• Kyle Busch dead at 41: Reactions, tributes from around sports world after the NASCAR driver's sudden death
• Kyle Busch’s No. 8 NASCAR car retired by Richard Childress Racing after death of driver
• Kyle Busch’s final racing interview hits home after sudden death: 'You never know when the last one is'