NASCAR icon Kyle Busch dies aged 41 after being hospitalised with ‘severe illness’

NASCAR star and two-time champion Kyle Busch has sadly passed away after being hospitalised with a “severe illness” just hours after his family issued an emotional statement

Racing icon Kyle Busch has sadly passed away just hours after his family said he had been hospitalised in a emotional statement. The star, described as a future Hall of Famer in the sport tragically passed just days after his son’s birthday.

His family had just hours earlier said Kyle had been battling a “severe illness” in what is a huge loss for not only NASCAR but motorsport itself.

Kyle was into a racing family with his father, Tom, who raced locally after he and his wife, Gaye, relocated from Schaumburg, Illinois.

His older brother Kurt, who was seven years older, become a NASCAR Hall of Famer. Kyle is survived by his wife, Samantha, and two children, son Brexton, who turned 11 on Monday, and 4-year-old daughter Lennix.

A joint statement and tribute from The Busch family, Richard Childress Racing and NASCAR to Kyle has also now been released. The statement said they are “devastated” by the sudden passing of a “future Hall of Famer”.

They said: “On behalf of the Busch family, everyone at Richard Childress Racing and all of NASCAR, we are devastated to announce the sudden and tragic passing of Kyle Busch.

“Our entire NASCAR family is heartbroken by the loss of Kyle Busch. 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.

“During this incredibly difficult time, we ask everyone to respect the family’s privacy and continue to keep them in your thoughts and prayers. Further updates will be shared as appropriate.”

Kyle was in his 22nd full-time season in NASCAR’s top division, where he won two Cup Series titles in 2015 and 20129.

His numbers across the other two national NASCAR series are record-setting, with 102 victories in what is now called the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series and 69 wins in the Craftsman Truck Series.