2-time NASCAR champion Kyle Busch hospitalized with severe illness, family says

1 hour ago

Associated Press,

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FILE - Kyle Busch is introduced during the NASCAR All-Star auto race at Dover Motor Speedway, Sunday, May 17, 2026, in Dover, Del. (AP Photo/Derik Hamilton, File)
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Kyle Busch gestures during introductions before a NASCAR Cup Series auto race at Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth, Texas, Sunday, Sept. 24, 2023. (AP Photo/LM Otero)
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Kyle Busch stands for the playing of the national anthem before the start of the NASCAR Cup Series auto race Sunday, May 17, 2020, in Darlington, S.C. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
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FILE - Kyle Busch (54) celebrates after winning the NASCAR Xfinity Series auto race at Charlotte Motor Speedway, May 25, 2020, in Concord, N.C. (AP Photo/Gerry Broome, file)
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FILE - In this Feb. 13, 2020, file photo, Kyle Busch waves to fans during driver introductions for the first of two Daytona 500 qualifying auto races at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fla. NASCAR champion Busch plans to literally will sprint back into competition when the season resumes by running all seven of the events scheduled over an 11-day span. (AP Photo/Terry Renna, File)
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Kyle Busch celebrates after winning the Brickyard 400 NASCAR auto race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indianapolis, Sunday, July 24, 2016. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
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Kyle Busch celebrates after winning the NASCAR Xfinity Series auto race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indianapolis, Saturday, July 23, 2016. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
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FILE - Kyle Busch, left, and H.A. "Humpy" Wheeler, President of Lowe's Motor Speedway, chat prior to qualifying in Concord, N.C., May 26, 2005. (AP Photo/Gerry Broome, file)

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Two-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Kyle Busch has been hospitalized with a severe illness and won’t compete at Charlotte Motor Speedway this weekend, his family said Thursday.

His family posted the news on social media and said he is currently undergoing treatment.

“We ask for understanding and privacy as our family navigates this situation,” the statement continued.

Statement Regarding Kyle Busch from the Busch Family:

“Kyle has experienced a severe illness resulting in hospitalization. He is currently undergoing treatment and will not compete in any of his scheduled activities this weekend at Charlotte Motor Speedway. We ask for…

— Kyle Busch (@KyleBusch) May 21, 2026

Busch ranks 24th in the Cup Series standings, with two top-10 finishes in 12 races this season. The 41-year-old driver and Las Vegas native won championships in 2015 and 2019. Busch is in his fourth season at Richard Childress Racing after winning titles with Joe Gibbs Racing.

His last win came in 2023, his first with RCR.