Kyle Busch was discovered unresponsive in a racing simulator prior to his unexpected death at 41.

Kyle Busch Passes Away at 41

The day before his passing, former NASCAR driver Kyle Busch became unresponsive during a racing simulator test in Concord, North Carolina, which led to him being hospitalized, according to a source familiar with the situation.

Busch died on Thursday at 41 after being hospitalized for a serious illness, though the exact cause has not been made public.

His family announced via his X account at 10:23 a.m. ET on Thursday that he was in the hospital and would not be participating in any upcoming events that weekend.

In their message, they shared, “Kyle was hospitalized with a serious illness. He is currently receiving medical treatment and will not be participating in any activities scheduled at Charlotte Motor Speedway this weekend. We kindly ask for your understanding and privacy as our family navigates this situation.”

Just over seven hours later, Busch’s family, along with NASCAR and Richard Childress Racing, released a statement confirming his death.

The statement noted, “Kyle, a future Hall of Famer, possessed a rare talent that comes only once in a generation. He was fierce, passionate, highly skilled, and cared deeply about the sport and its fans. Over a career spanning more than 20 years, he set records for national series wins, won championships at NASCAR’s highest level, and helped develop the next generation of drivers as a Truck Series owner. His sharp wit and competitive spirit resonated with racing fans of all ages, fostering a proud and loyal ‘Rowdy Nation.’

Earlier this month, Busch had experienced health issues, stating he needed to consult a doctor following a race on May 10. During that event, it was reported that he was suffering from a sinus infection, which the broadcast crew noted was aggravated by the intense conditions on the New York road course.

He mentioned, “I need a shot,” during the race, highlighting the challenge he faced with his illness. Although he had been struggling for a week, he expressed, “It sounds like I’m still not feeling well. My cough was pretty bad last week.”

Busch, recognized as one of NASCAR’s top drivers, won the Cup Series twice—in 2015 and 2019—and is ranked 9th all-time with a total of 63 victories in the NASCAR Cup Series.