Samantha Busch thanks supporters in first statement since husband’s death

Samantha Busch thanks supporters in first statement since husband's death

Samantha Busch addressed the public for the first time since the death of her husband, two-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Kyle Busch, posting a family statement on Instagram on Friday that expressed gratitude for the outpouring of condolences received since his passing on May 21.

Kyle Busch, 41, died after a bout of pneumonia escalated into sepsis. He had collapsed during a simulator session ahead of the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway and was hospitalised, dying the following day. A private memorial was held for him earlier in the week. In her Instagram post, Samantha Busch wrote that the family’s hearts were “absolutely shattered” but described feeling comfort through the support of fans, friends, and strangers alike, adding: “We may never find the words to fully express what your support has meant to us, but please know that we are deeply grateful.”

Kyle Busch won the Cup Series championship in 2015 and 2019, both with Joe Gibbs Racing, and compiled 63 Cup wins across 762 career starts dating to 2004. Across all three NASCAR national series, he recorded 234 victories, including all-time records in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series with 102 wins and the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series with 69. His final victory came one week before his death, a dominant Truck Series performance at Dover in which he led 147 laps.

Richard Childress Racing, where Busch had driven since the 2023 season, announced that his No. 8 car number would be permanently retired unless his 11-year-old son, Brexton – who returned to the racetrack earlier this week – chooses to race under it should he enter the Cup Series in the future.