NASCAR community and beyond pays tribute to race car legend Kyle Busch

Tributes are pouring in for NASCAR champion Kyle Busch, who has died at the age of 41.

Busch, a two-time NASCAR Cup Series Champion, was widely credited as one of the greatest drivers of his generation and in NASCAR history.

Earlier Thursday, his family said that Busch was hospitalized and undergoing treatment due to a "severe illness," and that he would not be competing this weekend at Charlotte Motor Speedway.

A subsequent statement came from his family Thursday evening announcing his death, which shocked fans, members across the motorsports community and more.

Busch is survived by his wife Samantha Busch, whom he married in 2010, and their two kids: Brexton Locke, who was born in 2015, and Lennix Key, who was born in 2022.

"We are saddened and heartbroken to share the news of the passing of Kyle Busch, a two-time Cup champion and one of our sport's greatest and fiercest drivers," NASCAR shared in a statement on social media. "We extend our deepest condolences to the Busch family, Richard Childress Racing and the entire motorsports community."

Charlotte Motor Speedway shared a statement from its CEO Marcus Smith, who called Busch a "champion among champions" and a "once-in-a-generation competitor whose grit, unmistakable driving style and relentless pursuit of excellence elevated him to a place among the very best drivers in our sport."

"Our hearts are with Samantha, Brexton, Lennix and the entire Busch family during this incredibly difficult time," Smith added. "We extend our deepest condolences, prayers and unwavering support as they mourn the loss of someone who meant so much to so many."

Denny Hamlin, Busch's former teammate, took to X and wrote, "Absolutely cannot comprehend this news. We just need to think of his family during this time. We love you KB."

Fellow racing driver Chandler Smith also commented on X, "Gonna miss you a lot, man. Thank you for being Kyle Busch and leaving your footprint for all of us to remember. Please pray for his family and ask God to give them comfort during this time."

"Absolute shock. Very hard to process. Hug your loved ones," fellow NASCAR Cup Series champion Brad Keselowski wrote on X.

Ricky Stenhouse Jr., who has raced against Busch in the past, said in a post on X that he was at a loss for words and highlighted how Busch uplifted everyone he came across in the sport. "He gave you everything he had, every single lap, and he made all of us better for it," he said. "Rest easy, Rowdy. The sport won’t be the same without you."

In his career racing at NASCAR's top level, Busch drove for three Hall of Fame team owners, according to NASCAR. He got his start with Hendrick Motorsports in 2005 before joining Joe Gibbs Racing in 2008, marking a long-running partnership with the NASCAR organization. In 2023, Busch joined Childress Racing.

Joe Gibbs Racing reacted to the news of Busch's death in a statement shared on X on Thursday: "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."

The statement went on to say: "During this unimaginable time, everyone at Joe Gibbs Racing and the Gibbs family are lifting the Busch family up in prayer."