CHARLOTTE — A memorial now stands at Charlotte Motor Speedway tonight as the racing world mourns the death of Kyle Busch, NASCAR’s winningest driver.
News of his passing broke around 5:30 p.m., sending shock and sadness through fans, teams, and the entire motorsports community.
NASCAR and Busch’s family released statements calling him a once‑in‑a‑generation talent, writing: “He was fierce, he was passionate, he was immensely skilled, and he cared deeply about the sport and fans.”
Born in Las Vegas, Busch came to Charlotte to chase racing glory and went on to build one of the most dominant careers the sport has ever seen. Nicknamed “Rowdy” and “The Candy Man,” he rose from short‑track prodigy to two‑time NASCAR Cup Series champion, redefining excellence across all three national series.
Busch made his Cup debut in 2004 with Hendrick Motorsports and earned his first win the following year. His aggressive, polarizing driving style earned him both rivals and respect.
He captured the 2009 Nationwide Series championship and set a record 102 wins in that series. He also holds the all‑time Truck Series wins record with 69 victories.
In the Cup Series, Busch won 63 races, including back‑to‑back Brickyard 400s in 2015 and 2016, the 2018 Coca‑Cola 600, and multiple Bristol Night Races.
His first Cup championship came in 2015 with Joe Gibbs Racing, followed by a second title in 2019, making him the first driver to win multiple championships in NASCAR’s playoff era.
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Kyle Busch: The two-time NASCAR Cup Series champion will miss Sunday's Coca-Cola 600 race. (Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
NASCAR's Kyle Busch through the years
NASCAR's Kyle Busch through the years (Jamie Walters)
NASCAR Daytona 500 Media Day Auto Race Kyle Busch speaks during a NASCAR Daytona 500 media day, Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2026, in Daytona, Fla. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart) (Mike Stewart/AP)
NASCAR Daytona 500 Auto Race Kyle Busch prepares for a photo during NASCAR Daytona 500 qualifying, Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2026, in Daytona, Fla. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart) (Mike Stewart/AP)
NASCAR Daytona 500 Auto Racing Kyle Busch, (8) prepars during the first of two NASCAR Daytona 500 qualifying auto races at Daytona International Speedway, Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026, in Daytona Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart) (Mike Stewart/AP)
NASCAR Daytona 500 Auto Race Chase Briscoe and Kyle Busch, from left, speak during NASCAR Daytona 500 qualifying, Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2026, in Daytona, Fla. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart) (Mike Stewart/AP)
NASCAR Daytona 500 Auto Race Kyle Busch speaks with his crew during NASCAR Daytona 500 qualifying, Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2026, in Daytona, Fla. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart) (Mike Stewart/AP)
NASCAR Daytona 500 Auto Race Chase Briscoe and Kyle Busch, from left, pose for a photo after NASCAR Daytona 500 qualifying, Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2026, in Daytona, Fla. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart) (Mike Stewart/AP)
NASCAR-Kyle Busch-Pacific Life Lawsuit FILE - Kyle Busch smiles prior to a NASCAR Cup Series auto race at Charlotte Motor Speedway, Sunday, Oct. 5, 2025, in Concord, N.C. (AP Photo/Matt Kelley, File) (Matt Kelley/AP)
Kyle Busch with son Brexton, and Kevin Harvick with son Keelan (CMS Photo)
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