CONCORD, N.C. (AP) - Kyle Busch, a celebrated two-time NASCAR Cup Series champion known for his record-setting career across all three of NASCAR's national series, has tragically passed away at the age of 41. A joint statement from the Busch Family, Richard Childress Racing, and NASCAR confirmed his death on Thursday after he was hospitalized due to a severe illness. However, the specific cause of death has not yet been disclosed.

Busch's family disclosed that he was hospitalized just three days before he was scheduled to compete in the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Reports indicate that Busch was testing in the Chevrolet racing simulator in Concord when he suddenly became unresponsive, prompting immediate transportation to a hospital in Charlotte.

Kyle was the younger brother of Kurt Busch, a member of the NASCAR Hall of Fame. He is survived by his wife, Samantha, and their two children, Brexton and Lennix. The NASCAR community expressed its sorrow, stating, "Our entire NASCAR family is heartbroken by the loss of Kyle Busch. A future Hall of Famer, Kyle was a rare talent who was fiercely passionate, immensely skilled, and deeply cared about the sport and its fans."

Throughout his illustrious career that spanned more than two decades, Busch amasses numerous records, including a total of 234 wins across the three national series: 63 in the Cup Series, 102 in the O'Reilly Auto Parts Series, and 69 in the Trucks Series, distinguishing him as one of the sport's most formidable competitors.

The announcement of Busch's death comes shortly after he reported experiencing health issues, including a sinus cold, exacerbated by the G-forces and elevation changes at Watkins Glen. Despite these challenges, he finished in eighth place during the race. Last weekend, he demonstrated his enduring talent by winning the Trucks Series race at Dover for Spire Motorsports before finishing 17th at the NASCAR All-Star race, marking his final competition.

Driver Denny Hamlin expressed his disbelief on social media, stating, "Absolutely cannot comprehend this news. We just need to think of his family during this time. We love you, KB." Similarly, driver Brad Keselowski remarked that it was "very hard to process" the sudden loss. Known for his fiery demeanor, Busch was a polarizing figure in NASCAR, earning nicknames like "Rowdy" and "Wild Thing" due to his post-race altercations and intense rivalries with other drivers.

Busch burst onto the NASCAR scene in 2005 by securing the Rookie of the Year title, later winning championships in 2015 and 2019 while racing for Joe Gibbs Racing. The team acknowledged his significant impact, stating, "His impact on our organization and on the sport of NASCAR will never be forgotten." Despite being fired by Hendrick Motorsports early in his career to make room for fellow racer Dale Earnhardt Jr., Busch later found reputable success at Joe Gibbs Racing before joining Richard Childress Racing, where he faced struggles in recent seasons.

In the weeks leading up to his passing, Busch entered into a public spat with former teammate Hamlin, who criticized his recent performance. Busch retaliated on the track during a race at Kansas, affecting Hamlin's chances significantly. After winning his race at Dover, Busch made a pointed comment about his performance, indicating his competitive spirit remained intact.

The unexpected death of Kyle Busch adds to a recent series of tragedies within the NASCAR community. In December, former driver Greg Biffle, along with his family and three others, tragically lost their lives in a plane crash in Statesville, North Carolina. Following Busch's death announcement, NASCAR officials confirmed that the Coca-Cola 600 would proceed as planned, with Austin Hill announced as Busch's replacement in the No. 8 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1.

As news of Busch's passing spread across the motorsport community, race fans at the Indianapolis 500 expressed their sadness. Drivers were scheduled to travel to Charlotte Motorsports Speedway for practice and qualifying events, emphasizing the loss felt by all in the racing world.