Kyle Busch, NASCAR Star and Former WWE 24/7 Champion, Dies at 41

Kyle Busch, one of the most accomplished and polarizing drivers in modern NASCAR history, died Thursday at 41 after a severe illness. Known as “Rowdy,” Busch won Cup Series championships in 2015 and 2019, captured 63 Cup Series victories and became NASCAR’s all-time wins leader across its three national series with 234 total victories. He began his Cup career with Hendrick Motorsports, became one of Toyota’s signature stars during his long run with Joe Gibbs Racing, and later joined Richard Childress Racing, where he added another chapter to a career defined by raw speed, relentless competitiveness and a willingness to play the villain. Busch also had a small but memorable wrestling crossover, winning the WWE 24/7 Championship during a 2019 appearance on Monday Night Raw before losing it back to R-Truth later that night. His death stunned the racing world and cut short the life of a driver who had already built a Hall of Fame résumé before turning 42. Busch is survived by his wife and two young children.