Two-time NASCAR Cup Series champion and the all-time winningest driver across NASCAR’s top three national series, Kyle Busch, passed away Thursday evening at the age of 41 following a battle with a severe illness.

Busch was admitted to a medical facility earlier Thursday afternoon, with his family announcing he would undergo treatment and would not compete in this weekend’s races at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Neither the illness nor an official cause of death has been disclosed.

Across his NASCAR career, “Rowdy” captured Cup Series championships in 2015 and 2019 while driving the No. 18 Toyota Camry for Joe Gibbs Racing. Throughout his 234 national series victories, Busch earned wins in some of the sport’s marquee events, including back-to-back Brickyard 400 triumphs in 2015 and 2016, the 2008 Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway, and the 2018 Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Earlier this year, Busch also secured the pole position for what would become his final Daytona 500.

In addition to his Cup Series success, Busch claimed the 2009 NASCAR Nationwide Series championship and captured Snowball Derby victories in 2009 and 2017. He remains the all-time wins leader in both the NASCAR Xfinity Series with 102 victories and the Craftsman Truck Series with 69. Busch’s final points-paying victory came this past Friday at Dover Motor Speedway, driving the No. 7 Chevrolet Silverado for Spire Motorsports.

Although primarily known for his NASCAR accomplishments, Busch also made a brief venture into sports car racing. The two-time champion competed in the 2020 Rolex 24 at Daytona — his first and only IMSA appearance — driving the No. 14 Lexus RC F GT3 for Vasser Sullivan alongside Parker Chase, Michael de Quesada, and Jack Hawksworth. The quartet finished ninth in the GTD class and 26th overall.

“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,” NASCAR posted on social media. “We extend our deepest condolences to the Busch family, Richard Childress Racing, and the entire motorsports community.”

From all of us at GT REPORT, we send our thoughts and condolences to the Busch family and the racing community following the tragic news.

 

Image Courtesy to IMSA