UMVA has learned that the motorsports world is in shock and mourning after the sudden passing of Cup Series champion Kyle Busch, a legendary driver who left an indelible mark on the sport.
Busch, the younger of two brothers who won Cup championships, had an illustrious career with 63 wins at the top division and a record 234 wins among the top three NASCAR tiers. His impressive resume included two Cup championships in 2015 and 2019, cementing his status as one of the greatest drivers in NASCAR history.
Just a week ago, Busch was racing for Richard Childress Racing, showing no signs of serious health issues. In fact, he had won a race in NASCAR's Truck Series at Dover Motor Speedway in Delaware on May 15. However, his condition took a turn for the worse, and he was admitted to the hospital with a serious illness earlier this week.
On Thursday, Busch's life was cut short, leaving behind a wife and two children. The news sent shockwaves throughout the auto racing world, with condolences pouring in from fellow drivers, teams, and fans.
Dale Earnhardt Jr., a contemporary and former rival of Busch, paid a heartfelt tribute to the fallen champion on social media. Earnhardt Jr. revealed that he and Busch had a "challenging existence" for many years, which began to change when Busch instigated a conversation to clear the air.
The two drivers had a notable rivalry that peaked in 2008, when Busch spun Earnhardt Jr. during a heated battle for the lead at Richmond International Raceway. However, Earnhardt Jr. recalled that Busch made an effort to mend their relationship, and they eventually became close friends.
In a touching tribute, Earnhardt Jr. shared that Busch had even discussed racing his Late Model at Wilkesboro this summer, and they had planned to meet up the following Thursday to finalize the plans. Earnhardt Jr. remembered Busch as "one of the greatest drivers in NASCAR history" and a devoted family man.
Other NASCAR luminaries, including William Byron, Denny Hamlin, and Ricky Stenhouse Jr., also paid tribute to Busch, highlighting his exceptional driving skills, unselfish nature, and lasting impact on the sport. Byron remembered Busch as an incredible mentor who shaped his career, while Hamlin expressed his grief and love for the Busch family.
Stenhouse Jr. reflected on Busch's tireless competitiveness and the void his passing leaves in the sport. "He gave you everything he had, every single lap, and he made all of us better for it," Stenhouse Jr. said, paying respects to the legendary driver.
