Kyle Busch, Las Vegas native and two-time NASCAR Cup Series champion, dies at 41
May 9, 2026; Watkins Glen, New York, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver Kyle Busch looks on during practice and qualifying for the Go Bowling at The Glen at Watkins Glen International. Las Vegas native Kyle Busch, a two-time Cup Series champion and the winningest driver in NASCAR national series history, died on Thursday after being hospitalized with a severe illness. He was 41.
“Our entire NASCAR family is heartbroken by the loss of Kyle Busch,” NASCAR said in a statement. “A future Hall of Famer, Kyle was a rare talent, one who comes along once in a generation. He was fierce, he was passionate, he was immensely skilled and he cared deeply about the sport and fans.
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. “His sharp wit and competitive spirit sparked a deep emotional connection with race fans of every age, creating the proud and loyal ‘Rowdy Nation. ’ Our thoughts are with Samantha, Brexton and Lennix, Kyle and Samantha’s parents, Kurt and all of Kyle’s family, Richard and Judy Childress, everyone at Richard Childress Racing, his teammates, friends and fans.
NASCAR lost a giant of the sport today, far too soon. ” Busch was just six days removed from his final triumph in the driver’s seat, an emotional victory at the Ecosave 200 Truck Series race at Dover Motor Speedway on Friday. Busch won despite still being under the weather following an incident at Watkins Glen the week before, in which he requested medical assistance due to what he later called a “substantial cough.
” Brash and overwhelmingly confident, Busch’s maverick attitude made him a generation-defining talent in the post-Dale Earnhardt world of stock car racing. Nicknamed “The Candy Man” because of his signature alliance with M&Ms during his prime with Joe Gibbs Racing, Busch led all drivers with 40 wins during the 2010s and brought home the 2015 and 2019 championships in his iconic No. 18 car.