.jpg)
59 minutes ago
3
On Thursday evening, two-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Kyle Busch passed away at the age of 41.
The driver was battling a severe illness that resulted in hospitalization, according to a statement released by his family on social media.
As one of the most well-known NASCAR drivers of his era, Busch's passing has garnered a lot of attention.
Here are some reactions and tributes shared by the racing and sports world after the NASCAR driver's untimely death.
MORE: Remembering Kyle Busch's NASCAR career
Kyle Busch dies at 41
On Thursday evening, NASCAR announced in a statement that Busch died at age 41.
“Our entire NASCAR family is heartbroken by the loss of Kyle Busch," the statement read. "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.
Busch leaves behind his wife, Samantha, and two children, Brexton Locke and Lennix Key.
Kyle Busch NASCAR career
During his 24-year NASCAR career, Busch accumulated 234 wins, an amount that tallied to the most wins in the organization's history. 63 of those victories came at the Cup Series level, the ninth-best tally in Cup Series history.
Busch was a two-time Cup Series champion, hoisting the Bill France Cup in 2015 and 2019. Along with those series wins, here is a list of the driver's career accolades:
- Two-time Cup Series champion (2015, 2019)
- Two-time Cup Series regular-season champion (2018, 2019)
- 2009 Xfinity Series champion
- Seven-time Truck Series owner's champion (2010, 2013-2017, 2019)
- Two-time Best Driver ESPY Award winner
Reactions and tributes after Kyle Busch death
Here are some social media posts shared honoring Busch following his death:
We are saddened and heartbroken to share the news of the passing of Kyle Busch, a two-time Cup champion and one of our sport's greatest and fiercest drivers. He was 41 years old.
We extend our deepest condolences to the Busch family, Richard Childress Racing and the entire… pic.twitter.com/FARIF6OKrw
A joint statement on behalf of the Busch family, Richard Childress Racing and NASCAR. pic.twitter.com/7fYGjIqxoJ
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) May 21, 2026Absolutely cannot comprehend this news. We just need to think of his family during this time. We love you KB. https://t.co/cpaXg2HZGF
— Denny Hamlin (@dennyhamlin) May 21, 2026There aren’t really words for today. 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.
But more than the wins and the records,… https://t.co/hLS9vioUyN
Absolutely shocked, gutted, and numb. Wow. RIP Rowdy https://t.co/6BYM78nxu2
— Mike Bagley "Bagman" (@TheMikeBagley) May 21, 2026
English (US)