Legendary NASCAR driver Kyle Busch, 41, dies after ‘severe illness.’ What we know

Kyle Busch, the all-time winningest driver across all NASCAR national series whose talent and gumption and ferocity on-track led to two Cup championships, has died. He was 41.

The family of the driver for Richard Childress Racing announced Thursday morning that Busch had been hospitalized with a severe illness and that he wouldn’t participate in any of the activities at this weekend’s racing at Charlotte Motor Speedway. That included the Coca-Cola 600 — one of his favorite races on the NASCAR calendar.

The family — in a joint statement with Richard Childress Racing — later confirmed his death with a statement.

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

This story will be updated.