NEED TO KNOW
-
Kyle Busch died at 41 on Thursday, May 21, hours after being hospitalized for a “severe illness,” his family announced
-
His death came days after his historic NASCAR win at the 2026 Ecosave 200 on May 15
-
There, he shared how each win remains special, “Because you never know when the last one is”
Less than a week before his death, NASCAR legend Kyle Busch reflected on the significance of his race victories.
Busch died after he was hospitalized for a “severe illness,” his family, NASCAR, and Richard Childress Racing announced in a joint statement on Thursday, May 21. He was 41.
Advertisement
The week before his death, Busch won at the 2026 Ecosave 200 at Dover Motor Speedway. There, he celebrated his 69th NASCAR Truck Series win, earning the record for the most wins in the series’ history. Afterwards, he told Old Row Sports that winning never gets old.
“Because you never know when the last one is, you know?” Busch told the outlet.
Kyle Busch after winning the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series ECOSAVE 200 at Dover Motor Speedway on May 15, 2026 in Dover, Delaware.
Credit: Sean Gardner/Getty
“I know all too well, unfortunately,” he continued, thanking fans and adding that Dover, Del., is “always one of my favorite places to race.”
He later raced once more in Dover on Sunday, May 17, for the 2026 NASCAR All-Star Race and placed 24th.
Advertisement
“Our entire NASCAR family is heartbroken by the loss of Kyle Busch,” the Busch family, Richard Childress Racing and NASCAR said in a joint 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.”
“NASCAR lost a giant of the sport today, far too soon,” the statement continued, asking for the Busch family’s privacy to be respected.
Lennix, Kyle, Samantha and Brexton Busch n February 21, 2026 in Hampton, Georgia.
Credit: Sean Gardner/Getty
The news of his death came hours after the Busch family shared on Thursday, May 21, that the two-time NASCAR Cup Series champion was hospitalized and would miss two upcoming races in North Carolina. He was set to race in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race at the speedway in Concord, N.C., on Friday, May 22, and on Sunday, May 24 at the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
Advertisement
During the Watkins Glen International race on May 10, he requested medical attention. At the time, he was heard asking his team over the radio to have a doctor meet him at his bus near the garages. During the broadcast, FOX Sports said Busch had a “sinus cold.” A few days later, Busch told a reporter he had a “substantial cough.”
Read the original article on People
