(FILES) 2015 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Champion Kyle Busch waves as he arrives at the Toyota press conference during the 2017 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, Michigan, on January 9, 2017. NASCAR star Kyle Busch, a two-time Cup series champion regarded as one of the sport's greatest ever drivers, died May 21, 2026 aged 41, his family confirmed in a joint statement. He was in his 22nd season in NASCAR's top division and had been hospitalized earlier Thursday with an undisclosed but "severe illness". (Photo by JIM WATSON / AFP via Getty Images)