NASCAR champion Kyle Busch has died at age 41, according to a statement Thursday by his family, his team and NASCAR. "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," the statement said. Busch's family said earlier Thursday that Busch was hospitalized and being treated for a "severe illness" and that he wouldn't be competing this weekend at Charlotte Motor Speedway. 

The statement on his death said Busch was a "once-in-a-generation talent." 

"He was fierce, he was passionate, he was immensely talented and he cared so much about our sport and our fans," the statement said. "His quick wit, infectious smile and competitive spirit touched the lives of race fans of all ages and created the proud, loud and loyal 'Rowdy Nation.'" They did not say what sort of illness Busch had or what caused his death. "NASCAR lost a giant of the sport today, far too soon," the statement said. 

Busch competed full-time in the NASCAR Cup Series for Richard Childress Racing, driving the No. 

8 Chevrolet, and part-time in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, driving the No. 7 Chevrolet Silverado RST for Spire Motorsports. He won the NASCAR Cup Series championship twice, in 2015 and 2019, and set records in national series wins. 

His two-decade career included 234 wins across all three NASCAR national series. After his last victory in a NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race at Dover Motor Speedway on May 15, a reporter asked Busch why these moments never get old after so many wins.

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Tanu