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NASCAR Champion Kyle Busch Dies at 41

By Kameron Duncan Men's Journal

One of the most successful and popular drivers in NASCAR history has tragically passed away at the age of 41.

Two-time NASCAR Cup Series champion and multi-series mainstay Kyle Busch died on Wednesday. Earlier in the day, it was reported that Busch would miss this weekend's Coca-Cola 600 race in Charlotte due to an illness.

Hours later, NASCAR and Busch's team Richard Childress Racing confirmed his passing.

"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," NASCAR said in a statement.

"We extend our deepest condolences to the Busch family, Richard Childress Racing and the entire motorsports community."

Kyle Busch: American Motorsports Legend

In a joint statement, NASCAR and RCR referred to Busch as "a rare talent, one who comes along once in a generation."

In addition to his triumphs as Cup Series champion in 2015 and 2019, Busch was also a champion in the Nationwide Series, now known as the O'Reilly Auto Parts series.

Busch joined the Craftsman Truck Series as a 16-year-old in 2001, following in his older brother Kurt's footsteps. The Busch brothers are only the second pair of brothers in NASCAR history to both win Cup Series titles, joining Bobby and Terry Labonte.

He holds the all-time wins record in the O'Reilly Series with 102, and won a total of 234 races across NASCAR's top three touring series. Busch was one of only three drivers to win more than 100 races in a single series, and the first to to so in the O'Reilly series.

Busch earned the final win of his career last Friday at a Truck Series race in Dover, Delaware. He led 147 laps after starting from pole, dominating the competition as he typically did in the Truck Series.

Off the track, Busch was the former owner of his own racing team that competed in the O'Reilly and Truck Series for several years. Many of the drivers who appeared for Kyle Busch Motorsports still drive in top NASCAR series today, showcasing Busch's eye for talent.

Primarily known for his aggressive driving style, Busch became one of the more infamous drivers in NASCAR history. Some fans enjoyed his abrasive personality and "win-at-all-costs" mentality, while he was a villain and popular foil to others.

One of NASCAR's Most Well-Known Dads

Busch is survived by his wife Samantha, whom he married in 2010. The couple had two children together, son Brexton and daughter Lennix. Busch spoke about the possibility of one day racing with Brexton in the Cup Series, as the younger Busch decided to follow in his father's footsteps as a racing driver.

"We all go through growth and learning, and with that, we get better," Busch said in a 2022 interview. "He's no different than anybody else. But yeah, he's come a long way. It's pretty cool to see the growth that he's shown and the things that he's doing to get to the next level."

Rest in peace to Kyle Busch. We send our deepest condolences to his fans, family, friends and loved ones during this difficult time.

This story was originally published by Men's Journal on May 21, 2026, where it first appeared in the Sports section. Add Men's Journal as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

2026 The Arena Group Holdings, Inc. All rights reserved.

This story was originally published May 21, 2026 at 3:30 PM.

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