CONCORD, N.C. — Two-time NASCAR Cup Series champ Kyle Busch is currently hospitalized due to a serious illness and will not race at Charlotte Motor Speedway, his family announced. They are asking for privacy as they handle the situation.
The news follows an incident during a race on May 10 at Watkins Glen, where Busch requested medical assistance over the radio. He had been battling a sinus infection, which worsened due to the intense conditions on the track, but he managed to finish in eighth place.
As of now, Busch is ranked 24th in the Cup Series standings, with two top-10 finishes under his belt this season. He has previously won championships in 2015 and 2019 and is currently racing for Richard Childress Racing after a successful stint with Joe Gibbs Racing.
This will be the first time Busch misses a Cup Series race in over a decade. He last faced a similar situation in 2015 when he missed 11 races due to injuries from a crash.
Austin Hill will take Busch’s place for the Coca-Cola 600. Richard Childress Racing released a statement emphasizing that Busch’s health is their top priority and that they are fully supporting him during this time. They expressed gratitude to Hill for stepping in and requested fans to keep Busch and his family in their thoughts.
Busch has encountered challenges since moving to RCR. This has led to some drama with fellow driver Denny Hamlin, who suggested that fans shouldn’t expect Busch to easily return to winning ways. Although Hamlin later said his remarks were taken out of context, Busch didn’t take it lightly and hinted at racing Hamlin harder moving forward.
Despite recent ups and downs, Busch remains one of NASCAR’s most notable figures. He has 234 career wins across all NASCAR series, which is a record. After claiming his 69th win in the Trucks Series, Busch shared his perspective on racing: “You never know when the last one is going to be, so cherish them all.”
His situation has sparked discussions online, with fans expressing concern for his health and sharing memories of his past races. As his recovery continues, the racing community is rallying around one of its most dynamic competitors.
For ongoing updates, you can check out more on NASCAR’s official site or trusted sports news outlets.
