Two-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Kyle Busch died Thursday at age 41 after being hospitalized with a severe illness earlier that same day. His death was announced in a joint statement by the Busch family, Richard Childress Racing, and NASCAR. No cause of death was given.
According to BBC Sport, Busch's representatives had said earlier Thursday that he had been sent to the hospital, and the announcement of his death came hours later. He is survived by his parents, his wife, and two young children.
The joint statement described Busch as a rare talent. "A future Hall of Famer, Kyle was a rare talent, one who comes along once in a generation," the statement reads. "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."
At the time of his death, Busch was in his 22nd full-time season in NASCAR's top division. He had won two Cup Series titles and 63 races, ranking ninth on the circuit's all-time win list. He had also been an owner in the Truck Series, where the statement said he had worked to foster the next generation of drivers.
The statement also described the connection Busch built with fans over his career. "His sharp wit and competitive spirit sparked a deep emotional connection with race fans of every age, creating the proud and loyal 'Rowdy Nation,'" the statement said.
Busch had been scheduled to compete in the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway over the upcoming Memorial Day weekend. Speedway Motorsports, which owns Charlotte Motor Speedway, remembered him as a "champion among champions" and as a "once-in-a-generation competitor."
Tributes came quickly from across the sport. Former teammate Denny Hamlin wrote on social media: "Absolutely cannot comprehend this news. We just need to think of his family during this time. We love you KB." Driver Brad Keselowski posted: "Absolute shock. Very hard to process."
Dale Earnhardt Jr., who had clashed with Busch earlier in both of their careers, shared a longer statement. "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. ... But it was he who made the effort for that to be possible." Earnhardt added: "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."
