The NASCAR great died on Thursday after he was hospitalized for a “sudden illness.”
WASHINGTON — NASCAR champion Kyle Busch died on Thursday at 41, just days after his final race.
Busch was hospitalized on Thursday due to a “severe illness,” and was undergoing treatment before his death was announced hours later.
The NASCAR driver last competed on May 15 during the NASCAR Truck Series at the Dover Motor Speedway, winning his record fifth Truck Series title.
Following the news of his death, Busch’s post-race interview resurfaced online.
After earning his win at Dover, Busch was asked how many races he wants to win in his career before he stops racing.
“You take whatever you can get, man,” Busch said. “You never know when the last one is going to be, so cherish them all — trust me.”
The Busch Family, Richard Childress Racing and NASCAR issued a joint statement Thursday saying Busch died after being hospitalized. No cause of death was given.
Just 11 days before his death, Busch radioed into his crew near the end of a Cup Series race at Watkins Glen, asking a doctor to give him a “shot” after he finished the race. According to the TV broadcast, Busch had been struggling with a sinus cold that was exacerbated by the intense G-forces and elevation changes at the New York road course.
Busch finished the race in eighth place.
Busch is survived by his wife, Samantha, and his children, Brexton and Lennix.
The unexpected death is just the latest tragedy to hit NASCAR. Last December, former driver Greg Biffle, his wife and two children and three others died in a plane crash in Statesville, North Carolina.