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Kyle Busch will be remembered for his success on the racetrack as one of the most dominant NASCAR drivers at any level of the sport.
Busch, who tragically died at the age of 41 on Thursday, was a two-time NASCAR Cup Series champion and the all-time wins leader in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series. He was named one of NASCAR’s Top 75 Drivers for 2023.
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Kyle Busch poses in victory lane with the trophy and a replica of the WWE World Championship belt after winning the NASCAR Nationwide Series O’Reilly Challenge at Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth, Texas on November 7, 2009. (Rusty Jarrett/Getty Images for NASCAR)
The outpouring of tributes didn’t just come from the NASCAR world Thursday night. Busch was also remembered by professional wrestling fans and those who knew him from his brief time in WWE.
“Rowdy” became the WWE 24/7 Champion for a minute when he pinned R-Truth with the help of Michael Waltrip when “Monday Night Raw” was in Nashville, Tennessee on December 2, 2019. R-Truth regained the title at the same show.
He also received a WWE title belt when he won at Texas Motor Speedway on November 7, 2009.
KYLE BUSCH ON “HANG OUT WITH SEAN HANNITY”
The internet wrestling community reacted to Busch’s death.
Busch’s death was announced hours after it was revealed he would forgo all racing activity at Charlotte Motor Speedway this weekend due to a “serious illness resulting in hospitalization.”
NASCAR, the Busch family and Richard Childress Racing announced the death Thursday evening but did not offer a cause of death.
Kyle Busch celebrates in victory lane holding a replica of the WWE World Championship belt after winning the NASCAR Nationwide Series O’Reilly Challenge at Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth, Texas on November 7, 2009. (Tom Pennington/Getty Images for NASCAR)
“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.
“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.”
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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“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.”
