NASCAR Cup Series driver Kyle Busch dies at the age of 41

A NASCAR Cup Series icon has passed away at the age of 41.

Richard Childress Racing announced Thursday afternoon that Kyle Busch had died after being hospitalized for an undisclosed illness.

Richard Childress Racing and NASCAR released a statement following Busch's passing Thursday.

"Our entire NASCAR family is heartbroken by the loss of Kyle Busch. A future Hall of Famer, Kyle was a rare talent, one who comes along once in a generation. He was fierce, he was passionate, he was immensely skilled and he cared deeply about the sport and fans."

Busch ranked 24th in the Cup Series standings this season, with two top 10 finishes in 12 races.

He won 63 Cup Series races in his career including the 2018 Coca-Cola 600. Busch won 234 races across the sport's three national series— more than any driver in history.