Cup Series champ Kyle Busch dead at 41
Two-time NASCAR Cup Series champion and the winningest driver in Bristol Motor Speedway Kyle Busch died Thursday at the age of 41.
His family and his race team, Richard Childress Racing, announced the passing of the Nevada native just hours after both groups requested prayer for Busch who had been ruled out for Sunday’s Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway after suffering a severe illness.
Reports broadcast on Sirius XM NASCAR Radio said Busch had been ill since the series visited Watkins Glen on May 10 but did not disclose the ailment the driver had. A published report said Busch had requested a physician while at the New York road course and asked for a shot to combat a severe sinus cold he said he had been dealing with that weekend.
— 🇺🇸 Mike Ryan (Ruiz): PATRIOT 🇺🇸 (@MichaelRyanRuiz) May 21, 2026
One of Busch’s last races, a Craftsman Truck Series race during All Star Weekend at Dover, ended with a trip to victory lane- the 69th Truck Series win in his career as a driver. All total including his time as a truck series team owner, he has 98 victories in the division, according to NASCAR statistics.
A guaranteed first-ballot Hall of Fame member, Busch also holds the record for wins in the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series with 102.
RCR had already planned for their O’Reilly Series driver Austin Hill to drive Busch’s No. 8 this weekend in Charlotte.
Across NASCAR’s three major series, Busch won 23 races at Bristol including two weekend sweeps in August 2010 and 2017 where he hoisted trophies for triple-headers in Thunder Valley for trucks and stock car series- the first driver in the sport’s history to achieve that mark.
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
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) May 21, 2026
“Because you never know when the last one is”
– Kyle Busch, last week
Wow pic.twitter.com/vIkBsD9zL3
— Old Row Sports (@OldRowSports) May 21, 2026
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The driver who has visited Victory Lane at Bristol Motor Speedway more than any driver in its history has been hospitalized.
Two-time Cup Series champion Kyle Busch will not compete at this weekend’s events in Charlotte after what a statement from his family said was a severe illness, according to an Associated Press report.
A report from Richard Childress Racing said Austin Hill will fill-in for Busch’s No. 8 team whose last win was in 2023. Busch has 23 victories across three series at Bristol.
Statement Regarding Kyle Busch from the Busch Family:
“Kyle has experienced a severe illness resulting in hospitalization. He is currently undergoing treatment and will not compete in any of his scheduled activities this weekend at Charlotte Motor Speedway. We ask for…
— Kyle Busch (@KyleBusch) May 21, 2026
Kyle Busch’s health is our upmost priority and he and his family have the full resources of RCR behind them. Kyle is an integral part of our organization and we wish him a safe and speedy recovery. His No. 8 Chevrolet will be ready and waiting for him. We’re thankful to Austin…
— RCR (@RCRracing) May 21, 2026
