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The sports world is still rocked after the announcement that former NASCAR champion Kyle Buschdied on May 21 at the age of 41.
The 2015 and 2019 NASCAR Cup Series champ was perhaps the most decorated stock car driver of his generation when accounting for his wins on the three biggest circuits. He leaves behind a wife, two young children and a legacy that began ruffling the feathers of nearly everyone else but had soften to one of the premier stars of the sport.
Busch's last win in NASCAR came less than a week before his death. He won the Trucks Series race at Dover on May 15. After the win, he explained why he cherished the trip to Victory Lane and why it was not just an old hat to him.
Busch's last post on Twitter/X was a celebration of his son, Brexton, who just turned 11 years old. The boy is seemingly following in his father's footsteps by racing carts on short tracks across the country.
There are not many details available on what caused Busch's death in the immediate aftermath. Early on May 21, it was reported that Busch was pulling out of the Coca-Cola 600 in Charlotte with a "severe illness" that had him hospitalized. Hours later, the Busch family announced his death.
The Associated Press reports that Busch was found unresponsive in a race simulator in Concord, North Carolina, on May 20 and was taken to a hospital in Charlotte.
Busch did complain of a cold-like symptoms to his pit crew during the NASCAR race two weeks ago. And even last week, Busch said in an interview that he was still congested. But there is no clear indication or connection to those symptoms and his death.
Almost every major racing figure has shared their thoughts, prayers and memories of Kyle Busch in the hours after his death.
Dale Earnhardt Jr., the iconic NASCAR figure and now-TV analyst, reflected on his relationship with one of his chief rivals, and how the pair had worked to mend fences.
Fellow NASCAR great Jimmie Johnson, a former teammate, said on "CBS Mornings" that Busch's competitiveness, while grating, was among his best qualities.
Similarly, Denny Hamlin, who raced against Busch for decades and was his teammate with Joe Gibbs Racing, was on "Good Morning America" on May 22 to remember "the talented race car driver that ever stepped in a car."
Brad Keselowski, another Busch contemporary, admitted on "Fox and Friends" they weren't best buddies but spoke to the respect they had for one another as competitors.
Former NASCAR driver and TV analyst Kenny Wallace shared his thoughts on Kyle Busch the morning after his death:
This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Kyle Busch death resonates in NASCAR; final words carry huge meaning
Continue reading...
The 2015 and 2019 NASCAR Cup Series champ was perhaps the most decorated stock car driver of his generation when accounting for his wins on the three biggest circuits. He leaves behind a wife, two young children and a legacy that began ruffling the feathers of nearly everyone else but had soften to one of the premier stars of the sport.
Kyle Busch's last tweet, last interview on track
Busch's last win in NASCAR came less than a week before his death. He won the Trucks Series race at Dover on May 15. After the win, he explained why he cherished the trip to Victory Lane and why it was not just an old hat to him.
Busch's last post on Twitter/X was a celebration of his son, Brexton, who just turned 11 years old. The boy is seemingly following in his father's footsteps by racing carts on short tracks across the country.
Kyle Busch death: What we know
There are not many details available on what caused Busch's death in the immediate aftermath. Early on May 21, it was reported that Busch was pulling out of the Coca-Cola 600 in Charlotte with a "severe illness" that had him hospitalized. Hours later, the Busch family announced his death.
The Associated Press reports that Busch was found unresponsive in a race simulator in Concord, North Carolina, on May 20 and was taken to a hospital in Charlotte.
Busch did complain of a cold-like symptoms to his pit crew during the NASCAR race two weeks ago. And even last week, Busch said in an interview that he was still congested. But there is no clear indication or connection to those symptoms and his death.
Kyle Busch tributes
Almost every major racing figure has shared their thoughts, prayers and memories of Kyle Busch in the hours after his death.
Dale Earnhardt Jr., the iconic NASCAR figure and now-TV analyst, reflected on his relationship with one of his chief rivals, and how the pair had worked to mend fences.
Fellow NASCAR great Jimmie Johnson, a former teammate, said on "CBS Mornings" that Busch's competitiveness, while grating, was among his best qualities.
Similarly, Denny Hamlin, who raced against Busch for decades and was his teammate with Joe Gibbs Racing, was on "Good Morning America" on May 22 to remember "the talented race car driver that ever stepped in a car."
Brad Keselowski, another Busch contemporary, admitted on "Fox and Friends" they weren't best buddies but spoke to the respect they had for one another as competitors.
Former NASCAR driver and TV analyst Kenny Wallace shared his thoughts on Kyle Busch the morning after his death:
“Coffee with Kenny”
Kyle Buschpic.twitter.com/MMrbTBYEoW
— Kenny Wallace (@Kenny_Wallace) May 22, 2026
This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Kyle Busch death resonates in NASCAR; final words carry huge meaning
Continue reading...
