LAS VEGAS, NEVADA — Two-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Kyle Busch died on May 21, 2026, at the age of 41, after being hospitalized with a severe illness. NASCAR, Richard Childress Racing and the Busch family announced his death in a joint statement shared on social media.

No cause of death was given. The Busch family said he was hospitalized with a severe illness three days before he was to compete in the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway, and he had withdrawn from all activities at the race for the upcoming weekend.

"On behalf of the Busch family, everyone at Richard Childress Racing, and all of NASCAR, we are devastated to announce the sudden and tragic passing of Kyle Busch," the Busch family said. "Our entire NASCAR family is heartbroken by the loss of Kyle Busch. A future Hall of Famer, Kyle was a rare talent, one who comes along once in a generation."

"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 motorsports community," NASCAR said. The joint statement also read, "NASCAR lost a giant for the sport today, far too soon."

Before his death, Richard Childress Racing had said in a statement that "Kyle Busch's health is our upmost priority and he and his family have the full resources of RCR behind them." The team added, "His No. 8 Chevrolet will be ready and waiting for him."

Busch, a Las Vegas native, won the Cup Series championship in 2015 and 2019. He won the 2015 title despite missing 11 races that season with a leg injury. He recorded 63 career Cup Series victories, the ninth-most in series history and the most among active full-time drivers at the time of his death. He won more than 200 races across NASCAR's three national series, including 102 in the O'Reilly Auto Parts Series and 69 in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series. He held an all-time NASCAR record with 19 consecutive seasons with a victory, from 2004 to 2023. His final national series victory came at Dover Motor Speedway on May 15, 2026, six days before his death.

Busch was in his fourth season at Richard Childress Racing after 15 seasons at Joe Gibbs Racing. He moved to RCR in 2023, and according to one account, went more than two seasons without a win after his initial victories with the team before his Dover win in May 2026. He ranked 24th in the Cup Series standings with two top-10 finishes in 12 races this season. Richard Childress Racing said Austin Hill will drive the No. 8 in the Coca-Cola 600 in place of Busch. He is survived by his wife, Samantha Busch, and their children, Brexton and Lennix Busch.