Pembalap legendaris dan juara NASCAR dua kali, Kyle Busch, meninggal dunia pada usia 41 tahun setelah sempat dilarikan ke rumah sakit akibat menderita penyakit parah pada Kamis, 21 Mei 2026.
Kabar duka tersebut dikonfirmasi melalui pernyataan bersama yang dirilis oleh pihak keluarga Busch, tim Richard Childress Racing, dan pihak otoritas NASCAR. Sebelum dinyatakan wafat, pembalap asal Las Vegas tersebut dijadwalkan bertanding dalam ajang Coca-Cola 600 di Charlotte Motor Speedway.
Pihak keluarga dan otoritas terkait tidak memberikan rincian lebih lanjut mengenai penyebab pasti kematian adik dari Hall of Famer NASCAR, Kurt Busch tersebut. Kendati demikian, sebelas hari sebelum kabar duka ini muncul, Busch sempat meminta penanganan medis di sirkuit Watkins Glen karena berjuang melawan flu sinus yang diperparah oleh gaya G-force tinggi.
Kepergian pembalap yang memiliki julukan Rowdy dan Wild Thing ini memicu gelombang duka mendalam dari jagat balap internasional, termasuk dari CEO Speedway Motorsports, Marcus Smith.
"Kyle Busch was a champion among champions — a once-in-a-generation competitor whose grit, unmistakable driving style and relentless pursuit of excellence elevated him to a place among the very best drivers in our sport. When Kyle climbed behind the wheel, he brought an intensity and determination that demanded respect from his competitors and inspired fans throughout motorsports." kata Marcus Smith, CEO Speedway Motorsports.
Marcus Smith menambahkan bahwa mendiang Kyle Busch telah mengukir sejarah besar di Charlotte Motor Speedway dengan memenangkan lebih banyak balapan di tiga seri utama NASCAR dibandingkan pengemudi lainnya.
"At Charlotte Motor Speedway, Kyle etched his name in history, earning more victories across NASCAR’s top three series than any other driver in our sport, highlighted by his victory in the 2018 Coca-Cola 600. Many of his remarkable 234 NASCAR victories came at Speedway Motorsports tracks where his talent and competitive spirit created countless memorable moments for more than two decades." kata Marcus Smith, CEO Speedway Motorsports.
Selain aktif di lintasan aspal NASCAR, Busch juga diketahui memiliki kecintaan mendalam pada balapan tanah murni dan kompetisi U.S. Legend Car bersama putranya, Brexton.
"Beyond his extraordinary accomplishments in NASCAR, Kyle’s passion for racing extended deeply into dirt racing and U.S. Legend Car competition, where he proudly shared the track with his son, Brexton. Away from the racetrack, Kyle was a savvy businessman, a devoted father and a loyal friend whose impact was felt far beyond the sport." kata Marcus Smith, CEO Speedway Motorsports.
Pihak manajemen sirkuit dan Speedway Motorsports menegaskan dukungan moral penuh kepada keluarga besar yang ditinggalkan oleh sang pembalap.
"Our hearts are with Samantha, Brexton, Lennix and the entire Busch family during this incredibly difficult time. We extend our deepest condolences, prayers and unwavering support as they mourn the loss of someone who meant so much to so many." kata Marcus Smith, CEO Speedway Motorsports.
Ungkapan duka cita mendalam juga disampaikan secara resmi melalui saluran komunikasi gabungan organisasi balap nasional Amerika Serikat.
"Our entire NASCAR family is heartbroken by the loss of Kyle Busch," tulis pernyataan bersama Pihak Keluarga, Richard Childress Racing, dan NASCAR.
Asosiasi mencatat rekor luar biasa Busch yang membentang selama dua dekade, termasuk kontribusinya dalam membina pembalap generasi muda melalui Truck Series.
"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," tulis pernyataan bersama Pihak Keluarga, Richard Childress Racing, dan NASCAR.
Pernyataan tersebut turut menyoroti kedekatan emosional mendalam yang berhasil dibangun oleh Busch dengan para penggemar setianya yang dikenal sebagai Rowdy Nation.
"throughout a career that spanned more than two decades, Kyle set records in national series wins, won championships at NASCAR’s highest level and fostered the next generation of drivers as an owner in the Truck Series. His sharp wit and competitive spirit sparked a deep emotional connection with race fans of every age, creating the proud and loyal ‘Rowdy Nation.’" tulis pernyataan bersama Pihak Keluarga, Richard Childress Racing, dan NASCAR.
Rekan-rekan pembalap dan mantan rekan satu tim turut mengekspresikan keterkejutan mereka melalui media sosial atas kepulangan mendadak sang bintang.
"Absolute shock. Very hard to process," kata Brad Keselowski, Pembalap Veteran NASCAR.
Mantan rekan setimnya di Joe Gibbs Racing, Denny Hamlin, juga mengaku tidak bisa mempercayai kabar kepergian sahabatnya tersebut secara mendadak.
"Absolutely cannot comprehend this news. We just need to think of his family during this time. We love you KB." kata Denny Hamlin, Pembalap NASCAR.
Hubungan personal Busch dengan figur balap lain, termasuk Dale Earnhardt Jr., juga diwarnai dinamika kompetisi yang ketat sebelum akhirnya mereka berdamai.
"Kyle and I had a really challenging existence for many years," kata Dale Earnhardt Jr., Pembalap NASCAR.
Earnhardt Jr. mengungkapkan rasa hormatnya karena Busch menjadi pihak yang berinisiatif untuk memperbaiki keretakan hubungan mereka di masa lalu.
"But we luckily took the time to figure out our differences and that was something he instigated with a conversation in his bus around how we each managed our racing teams. I was super eager for us to get on better terms. But it was he who made the effort for that to be possible." kata Dale Earnhardt Jr., Pembalap NASCAR.
Kritik tajam sempat dilayangkan oleh Hamlin sebelum kematian Busch terkait performa sang pembalap yang dinilai menurun setelah bergabung dengan RCR.
"If you’re expecting Kyle Busch to just go back to Victory Lane on a regular basis, you are kidding yourselves." kata Denny Hamlin, Pembalap NASCAR.
Sepanjang kariernya, Kyle Busch menorehkan total 234 kemenangan di tiga seri nasional NASCAR, termasuk rekor 102 kemenangan O'Reilly Auto Parts dan 69 kemenangan Trucks Series.
