Kyle Busch found coughing up blood before death. What we know

The NASCAR world continues to grieve the death of Kyle Busch , one of the sport's most popular and successful drivers. Memorials popped up in places like Daytona International Speedway, and well-wishes for his family continued to come in on social media a day after "Rowdy" suddenly passed . Busch was just 41 years old when he died May 21 after being hospitalized in Charlotte for what was described as a "severe illness.

" The two-time Cup Series champion and 2009 O'Reilly Series champion (it was then the Nationwide Series) was found unresponsive in a driving simulator the day before, according to The Associated Press . Beloved for his excitable energy and fiery passion that sometimes led him to get into fights with fellow drivers (hence the nickname), Busch goes down as the winningest driver across NASCAR's three national series. He never won the Daytona 500 , though he did earn pole position for this February's race.

And he did get to celebrate his older brother, Kurt Busch, winning the Great American Race in 2017. "Our entire NASCAR family is heartbroken by the loss of Kyle Busch," read a joint statement from NASCAR, Richard Childress Racing and his family . "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. "NASCAR lost a giant for the sport today, far too soon. " Busch was preparing to race in the Truck Series race Friday, May 22, in addition to the Coca-Cola 600 on Sunday, May 24 at Charlotte Motor Speedway when he died.