Last Updated on May 21, 2026 9:05 pm
Two-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Kyle Busch has died. He was 41 years old.
The Busch family, Richard Childress Racing, and NASCAR issued a joint statement Thursday evening confirming his death after he was hospitalized earlier in the day. His family said Thursday morning that Busch had experienced a “severe illness resulting in hospitalization” and was undergoing treatment. No cause of death has been disclosed.
Busch won two NASCAR Cup Series championships, in 2015 and 2019, and holds the all-time record for wins across NASCAR's three national series. He spent his final seasons driving the No. 8 Chevrolet for Richard Childress Racing.
He had been scheduled to compete in the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway this Sunday.
A Connection to Appalachian State
For fans in the High Country, Busch carries a particular memory. In May 2020, he drove the black and gold No. 54 Toyota — adorned with App State logos and a congratulatory message for the university's Class of 2020 — to a dramatic last-lap victory in the Alsco 300 at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
The win came during the COVID-19 pandemic, when App State's graduating seniors were unable to hold a traditional commencement ceremony. After crossing the finish line, Busch addressed the graduates on live television.
“I want to wish the 2020 class from App State congratulations on getting their diplomas this year,” Busch said. “Obviously, it's a little different, I know, but hopefully this lifts your spirits a little bit anyways. We won for you.”
He also referenced App State's historic 2007 upset of Michigan during the on-track interview, a nod that landed well with the Mountaineer faithful.
NASCAR's statement described Busch as a once-in-a-generation talent who “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.” The statement added that his “sharp wit and competitive spirit sparked a deep emotional connection with race fans of every age, creating the proud and loyal ‘Rowdy Nation.'”
Busch is survived by his wife, Samantha, and their children, Brexton and Lennix. He was the younger brother of Kurt Busch, a NASCAR Hall of Famer.
NASCAR asked that fans respect the family's privacy during this time. Further updates will be shared as appropriate.
