Kyle Busch illness, explained: Why hospitalized NASCAR driver is missing Coca-Cola 600 race
NASCAR driver Kyle Busch won't race in the Coca-Cola 600 as he deals with a "severe" illness. Here's what we know.
Kyle Busch illness, explained: Why hospitalized NASCAR driver is missing Coca-Cola 600 race originally appeared on The Sporting News . Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here . Veteran NASCAR driver Kyle Busch has been a regular at the Coca-Cola 600 since 2004, but he is set to miss Sunday's race after being hospitalized.
The 41-year-old is coming off his best finish of the 2026 season, finishing eighth in the Go Bowling at the Glen on May 10, and he has two top-10 finishes in his last three races. He also won a NASCAR Truck Series race on May 15. A winner at Charlotte Motor Speedway in this race eight years ago, Busch finished top-10 in the Coca-Cola 600 for seven consecutive years from 2017-23 and hasn't finished outside the top 15 in the race since 2016.
Here's what you need to know about Busch's illness and his status going forward. MORE: Complete 2026 NASCAR Cup Series schedule What happened to Kyle Busch? Busch's family released a statement Thursday revealing the 41-year-old "has experienced a severe illness resulting in hospitalization.
" Statement Regarding Kyle Busch from the Busch Family: “Kyle has experienced a severe illness resulting in hospitalization. He is currently undergoing treatment and will not compete in any of his scheduled activities this weekend at Charlotte Motor Speedway. We ask for… — Kyle Busch (@KyleBusch) May 21, 2026 Busch won the NASCAR Truck Series race in Dover on Friday, six days before his illness was disclosed, and raced in the NASCAR All-Star race on Sunday.