Two-time NASCAR champion Kyle Busch dies, aged 41

The motorsport community is in shock after the sudden death of two-time NASCAR Cup series champion Kyle Busch at the age of 41.

The American driver was admitted to hospital on Thursday (local time) with what was described as a “severe” illness.

The Busch family and Richard Childress Racing confirmed Busch’s passing in a joint statement.

NASCAR (National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing), the Busch family and motorsports organisation Richard Childress Racing announced the death on Thursday evening, but did not share the cause.

"On behalf of the Busch family, everyone at Richard Childress Racing and all of NASCAR, we are devastated to announce the sudden and tragic passing of Kyle Busch," the statement read.

"Our entire NASCAR family is heartbroken by the loss of Kyle Busch. A future Hall of Famer, Kyle was a rare talent, one who comes along once in a generation. He was fierce, he was passionate, he was immensely skilled, and he cared deeply about the sport and fans.

Kyle Busch was the younger brother of NASCAR Hall of Famer Kurt Busch.

He was married to Samantha Busch on New Year’s Eve in 2010 and was a father of two to 11-year-old son racer Brexton and four-year-old daughter Lennix.

Busch will be remembered as one of NASCAR’s greats.

His career at the top level of stock car racing spanned more than two decades. During that time, he amassed 63 wins in the NASCAR Cup Series and was a two-time champion in 2015 and 2019.

He was a polarising figure, though known as "Rowdy" and "Wild Thing" for his post-race fights, regular feuds with other drivers, and sometimes outlandish behaviour.

Busch was set to race in the NASCAR Truck Series with Spire Motorsports on Saturday and the NASCAR Cup Series on Monday at Charlotte Motor Speedway with Richard Childress Racing.