Kyle Busch, the winningest driver across NASCAR's three top series, died Thursday afternoon, sending shockwaves around the racing world. He was 41 years old.
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The two-time NASCAR Champion withdrew from this weekend's Coca-Cola 600 race due to an undisclosed but "severe illness."
NASCAR, the Busch family and Richard Childress Racing announced the death Thursday evening, but did not offer a cause of death.
"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 statement 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. He was fierce, passionate, and immensely skilled. He cared deeply about the sport and fans."
The statement added: "Throughout a career that spanned more than two decades, Kyle 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 Las Vegas-born driver was competing in his 22nd Cup season. He was a virtual shoo-in for the NASCAR Hall of Fame post-retirement.
Busch is survived by his wife, Samantha, children Brexton and Lennix, and brother Kurt, among others.
NASCAR World Mourns Kyle Busch
Condolences from around the NASCAR circuit have begun pouring in on social media.
23XI Racing co-owner Denny Hamlin wrote on X: "Absolutely cannot comprehend this news. We just need to think of his family during this time. We love you KB."
NASCAR Series Cup Champion Brad Keselowski posted, "Absolute shock. Very hard to process. Hug your loved ones."
NASCAR driver Ricky Stenhouse Jr. heaped praise on Busch, saying, "There aren't really words for today. I've raced against Kyle for a long time, and anyone who's lined up next to him knows exactly what made him special, he gave you everything he had, every single lap, and he made all of us better for it."
