NASCAR motor racing champion Kyle Busch has died.
The two-time NASCAR Cup Series champion was hospitalized Thursday with an undisclosed illness and died shortly thereafter.
As the tragic news shocked the racing world, NASCAR (National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing), the Busch family and motorsports organization Richard Childress Racing announced the death on Thursday evening, but did not share the cause.
“On behalf of the Busch family, everyone at Richard Childress Racing, and everyone at NASCAR, we are deeply saddened to announce the sudden and tragic passing of Kyle Busch,” the statement read.
“Our entire NASCAR family is saddened by the passing of Kyle Busch. A future Hall of Famer, Kyle was a rare talent who comes along once in a generation. He was fiery, he was passionate, he was extremely skilled and he cared deeply about the sport and the fans,” it further stated.
Busch’s career spanned more than two decades and he was a two-time Cup champion in 2015 and 2019. Additionally, he scored 234 wins across all three NASCAR national series.
“His sharp wit and competitive spirit struck a deep emotional chord with race fans of all ages,” the statement added.
“Our thoughts are with Samantha, Braxton and Lennix, Kyle and Samantha’s parents, Kurt and Kyle’s entire family, Richard and Judy Childress, everyone at Richard Childress Racing, their teammates, friends and fans. NASCAR lost a great part of the sport today, too soon,” it concluded.
Kyle Busch is survived by his wife Samantha and two children.
