The family of Kyle Busch shared that the NASCAR champion, father of two, and husband to Samantha died from “severe pneumonia that progressed into sepsis resulting in rapid and overwhelming associated complications.”

The Associated Press’ Steve Reed reports that the Vice President of Kyle Busch Companies Dakota Hunter received the medical evaluation on Saturday. The Busch family continues to ask for understanding and privacy.

Reed previously reported that Busch had “become unresponsive and was taken to a hospital in Charlotte” while “testing in the Chevrolet simulator in Concord on Wednesday.”

The family released a statement to social media on the morning of Thursday, May 21st that Busch had been hospitalized after suffering a severe illness. The family posted on his social media, “Kyle has experienced a severe illness resulting in hospitalization. He is currently undergoing treatment and will not compete in any of his scheduled activities this weekend at Charlotte Motor Speedway. We ask for understanding and privacy as our family navigates this situation.”

Statement Regarding Kyle Busch from the Busch Family:

“Kyle has experienced a severe illness resulting in hospitalization. He is currently undergoing treatment and will not compete in any of his scheduled activities this weekend at Charlotte Motor Speedway. We ask for…

— Kyle Busch (@KyleBusch) May 21, 2026

NASCAR announced that he had died just hours later at 5:40 PM ET, “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. He was 41 years old.”

“We extend our deepest condolences to the Busch family, Richard Childress Racing and the entire motorsports community,” NASCAR concluded.

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. He was 41 years old.

We extend our deepest condolences to the Busch family, Richard Childress Racing and the entire… pic.twitter.com/FARIF6OKrw

— NASCAR (@NASCAR) May 21, 2026

NEXT: Richard Childress Racing Announces Suspension Of The No. 8 Following Kyle Busch’s Death