On Thursday, the unthinkable happened. Kyle Busch, a two-time NASCAR Cup Series champion and winner of 234 NASCAR National Series events (the most all-time), tragically passed away at the age of 41.
The fierce competitor was slated to compete in two NASCAR National Series events this weekend at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Busch was going to compete in Friday night’s NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series North Carolina Education Lottery 200, driving the No. 7 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet Silverado, and he was going to compete in Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series Coca-Cola 600, driving the No. 8 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet Camaro.
On Thursday morning, the Busch family revealed that due to a severe illness, which necessitated the racing legend to be hospitalized, Busch would not compete in the weekend’s events at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
Hours later, the family, along with Richard Childress Racing and NASCAR, gave the tragic update that Busch had ultimately died.
In the hours after Busch’s passing, the NASCAR community, including some of Busch’s fiercest on-track rivals, took to social media to share their memories of the tenacious racer.
Denny Hamlin, who served as a teammate to Kyle Busch at Joe Gibbs Racing for 15 seasons, shared in a post on Instagram, “We’ve lost our Kobe Bryant. Today we mourn. Forever we remember. Rest in peace Kyle.”
View this post on Instagram
Jesse Love, the defending NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series champion who drives for Richard Childress Racing, issued a touching tribute on social media to Busch, whom he called his first hero.
“My first hero. The first driver I ever wanted to be like. You were bigger than life,” Love said in his post. “Since I was a kid, I dreamed that one day I could be like you too. I’m just one of the many kids that you gave that dream to. And I never stopped looking up to you.
“My heart is with Samantha, Brexton, and Lennix. The Busch family and friends. Your fans. And everyone at RCR.
“There is no doubting that you gave everything you had. You left nothing on the table. You inspired me, gave me dreams, and helped me in ways I wish I got the chance to tell you. You’ll always be my first hero. And I’m going to miss you.”
My first hero. The first driver I ever wanted to be like. You were bigger than life. Since I was a kid, I dreamed that one day I could be like you too. I’m just one of the many kids you gave that dream to. And I never stopped looking up to you.
My heart is with Samantha,… pic.twitter.com/kU1i3hVlGh
— jesse love jr (@jesselovejr1) May 21, 2026
Brad Keselowski was one of Busch’s biggest rivals throughout his NASCAR career. On Thursday evening, Keselowski explained in a post on X that while he and Busch fought on and off the track, he likes to think the two had a deep appreciation for one another.
“I made him earn every victory and stole a few from him along the way. We took our shots at each other, in the media and on the track. But I’d like to think that somewhere deep down there was an appreciation that we pushed each other to perform at the highest level, even if neither of us would’ve admitted it,” Keselowski said.
“Tonight, I feel a little like the coyote with no more roadrunner to chase. His loss is all of our loss, but none more so than his family’s. Thinking of Samantha, and Brexton and Lennis who lost their father today.”
I made him earn every victory and stole a few from him along the way. We took our shots at each other, in the media and on the track. But I’d like to think that somewhere deep down there was an appreciation that we pushed each other to perform at the highest level, even if… pic.twitter.com/1dAq7Eui7D
— Brad Keselowski (@keselowski) May 22, 2026
Dale Earnhardt Jr. formed a massive rivalry with Kyle Busch after Earnhardt moved to Hendrick Motorsports in 2008, as Busch was shuffled from the race team. In recent years, Earnhardt and Busch were able to reconcile, and Earnhardt is thankful for that.
“Kyle and I had a really challenging existence for many years. But we luckily took the time to figure out our differences and that was something he instigated with a conversation in his bus around how we each managed our racing teams,” Earnhardt recalled. “I was super eager for us to get on better terms. But it was he who made the effort for that to be possible. We did some media together also to laugh through some of the things we put each other through many years ago. Most recently we had even been discussing him running my Late Model at Wilkesboro this summer. He seemed extremely happy and we had planned to meet up next Thursday to get his seat to the shop. He laughed over the idea of his fans and JRM fans having to cheer in unison during that race.
“Kyle was one of the greatest drivers in NASCAR history. No one can deny that. But he was also a father, a husband, a brother, son, and a friend to many. My heart is broken for the Busch family. I will never be able to make sense of this loss but I am thankful that we had found a way to become friends.”
Kyle and I had a really challenging existence for many years. But we luckily took the time to figure out our differences and that was something he instigated with a conversation in his bus around how we each managed our racing teams. I was super eager for us to get on better…
— Dale Earnhardt Jr. (@DaleJr) May 21, 2026
Erik Jones, who got his chance at NASCAR’s big leagues after Busch took a chance on him during his truck in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series after competing against him in the 2012 Snowball Derby, shared his thoughts on Busch, whom he considered his mentor and friend.
“Kyle was not just a mentor, but also a friend. His impact on my career was significant, and I’m forever grateful to him for giving me a chance in the Truck Series over 13 years ago,” Jones said. “He helped put me on a path in NASCAR from our first time racing each other at that 2012 Snowball Derby. He was one of the best in the sport who pushed us all to be better drivers. Kyle had an impact on so many careers in this sport. I’m heartbroken at the loss of this champion.
“My thoughts and prayers are with the Busch family. Please keep them in your prayers during this difficult time. He will be missed.”
Kyle was not just a mentor, but also a friend. His impact on my career was significant, and I’m forever grateful to him for giving me a chance in the Truck Series over 13 years ago. He helped put me on a path in NASCAR from our first time racing each other at that 2012 Snowball… pic.twitter.com/MK0Jk8QkDm
— Erik Jones (@Erik_Jones) May 21, 2026
Sam Hunt, a team owner in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series, posted on X that while it’s a story for another time, Busch changed his life.
“One day down the road I will tell the world about how Kyle helped change my life. For now, all I can do is pray for the entire Busch family. Absolutely heartbreaking.”
One day down the road I will tell the world about how Kyle helped change my life. For now, all I can do is pray for the entire Busch family. Absolutely heartbreaking. https://t.co/wc4k8vhKFH
— Sam Hunt (@SamHunt22) May 21, 2026
Rick Hendrick, who served as Busch’s team owner from 2003 through 2007, called the news of Busch’s passing a “painful shock” in a statement.
“This is an incredibly painful shock for all of us and a heartbreaking loss for the NASCAR family. Kyle was one of the most talented drivers I’ve ever seen and a racer in the truest sense of the word. He had a fire and competitive spirit that drove him to be great. I watched Kyle grow up in this sport and valued the friendship we shared long after he drove for our organization. As much as he loved to drive a race car, nothing brought him more joy than being a husband, a father and watching his son race. On behalf of everyone at Hendrick Motorsports, our hearts are with Samantha, Brexton, Lennix, Kurt and the Busch family.”
“This is an incredibly painful shock for all of us and a heartbreaking loss for the NASCAR family. Kyle was one of the most talented drivers I’ve ever seen and a racer in the truest sense of the word. He had a fire and competitive spirit that drove him to be great. I watched Kyle… pic.twitter.com/4ZbPlsOBpL
— Hendrick Motorsports (@TeamHendrick) May 21, 2026
Joe Gibbs Racing, which served as the racing home for Busch for 15 years, issued a statement on the passing of the driver, who compiled 56 NASCAR Cup Series wins and 90 NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series wins with JGR.
“Our hearts are broken for Samantha, Brexton, Lennix, and the entire Busch family. Kyle was a fierce competitor, an incredible teammate, and, far more importantly, a devoted husband, father, and son. His impact on our organization and on the sport of NASCAR will never be forgotten.
“During this unimaginable time, everyone at Joe Gibbs Racing and the Gibbs family are lifting the Busch family up in prayer.”
Our hearts are broken for Samantha, Brexton, Lennix, and the entire Busch family. Kyle was a fierce competitor, an incredible teammate, and, far more importantly, a devoted husband, father, and son. His impact on our organization and on the sport of NASCAR will never be… pic.twitter.com/Va7PzWEseG
— Joe Gibbs Racing (@JoeGibbsRacing) May 21, 2026
Jeff Gordon, who served as a teammate to Busch at Hendrick Motorsports and a competitor to Busch when Busch moved to Joe Gibbs Racing, called the loss of Busch a devastating one in a post on X.
“This is a devastating loss and one that is hard for the NASCAR community to process. Kyle was a fierce competitor who demanded the very best from himself each time he put on the helmet. As teammates, I saw firsthand the passion and intensity he brought to the sport every single day,” Gordon explained. “He was a champion and prolific racer who made a tremendous impact on NASCAR and was a lifelong advocate for all forms of motor sports. But beyond the track, he loved his family deeply and was incredibly proud of Samantha, Brexton and Lennix. My thoughts are with the entire Busch family during this extremely difficult time.”
This is a devastating loss and one that is hard for the NASCAR community to process. Kyle was a fierce competitor who demanded the very best from himself each time he put on the helmet. As teammates, I saw firsthand the passion and intensity he brought to the sport every single… pic.twitter.com/jVQLdTXcyF
— Jeff Gordon (@JeffGordonWeb) May 22, 2026
The impact of the death of Busch is one that will be felt by the NASCAR community for years to come. Busch was one of the most talented racers the sport has ever seen, and above all, he was a passionate father, and a person who gave a lot of opportunity to those trying to forge a career in the sport.
