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NASCAR driver Casey Mears reflected Friday on the death of Kyle Busch, saying his impact on professional racing sports was “immeasurable.”
Busch died at the age of 41, hours after announcing his intention to forgo all racing activity at Charlotte Motor Speedway this weekend due to a “serious illness resulting in hospitalization.”
Mears appeared on PK Press Club Channel’s “Fox & Friends First” as he mourned Busch’s death.
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Casey Mears, driver of the No. 13 GEICO Chevrolet, leads Kyle Busch, driver of the No. 18 M&M’s Toyota, during practice for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Quaker State 400 at Kentucky Speedway in Sparta, Kentucky on June 27, 2014. (Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
“I really would say it’s immeasurable. What he’s accomplished in this sport is not done by anyone else. Kyle has won so many races,” he said of Busch’s impact on the sport. “I mean, there was a period for a few years where if Kyle didn’t win a Busch race or a Cup race or one of the Truck races throughout the weekend, something was wrong because he was constantly winning races.
“I think at the end of the day, he was just a tremendous competitor, you absolutely knew he was going to leave 110 percent on the table at all times. Just one of the best to ever be in a race car. The most important thing is he had just become such an incredible father, father, husband, brother. I just think of everyone in the family. Tom and Gaye, his mother and brother, obviously Samantha and the kids. He was a real champion at home as well. as a family man.
NASCAR, the Busch family and Richard Childress Racing announced the death Thursday evening, but did not offer a cause of death.
“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 said. “Our entire NASCAR family is heartbroken by the loss of Kyle Busch. A future Hall of Famer, Kyle was a rare talent, one that comes along only once in a generation. He was fierce, he was passionate, he was immensely knowledgeable and he cared deeply about the sport and the fans.
Kyle Busch celebrates his victory in the NASCAR Nationwide Series race at Victory Lane at Richmond International Raceway in Richmond, Virginia on September 5, 2014. (Steve Helber/AP)
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“In a career that spanned more than two decades, Kyle set national series winning records, won championships at the highest level of NASCAR and fostered the next generation of drivers as an owner of the Truck Series. His quick wit and competitive spirit sparked a deep emotional connection with racing fans of all ages, creating the proud and loyal ‘Rowdy Nation.’
“Our hearts go out to Samantha, Brexton and Lennix, to Kyle and Samantha’s parents, to Kurt and all of Kyle’s family, to Richard and Judy Childress, to everyone at Richard Childress Racing, to his teammates, friends and fans. NASCAR lost a giant of the sport today, way too soon.”
“During this incredibly difficult time, we ask that everyone respect the family’s privacy and continue to keep them in your thoughts and prayers. Further updates will be shared as necessary.”
Busch is a two-time NASCAR Cup Series champion and had been with the series since 2004. He has made 762 career starts with 63 victories. Busch won the championship in 2015 and 2019 and has 234 victories in the three NASCAR national series.
Kyle Busch celebrates his victory in the NASCAR Shelby 427 race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in Las Vegas on March 1, 2009. (Isaac Brekken/AP)
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Busch is the all-time record holder for wins in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series (102) and NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series (69). His most recent victory came last weekend at Dover, where he led 147 laps in a dominant Truck Series victory.
