Kyle Busch Hospitalized, NASCAR Team Asks for Prayers

Popular NASCAR driver Kyle Busch has been hospitalized with what family is calling a "severe illness."

As a result, he'll miss this weekend's races at Charlotte Motor Speedway.

What's Wrong With Kyle Busch?

The nature of Busch's illness is a mystery, but there's concern within his team.

Taking to social media, Richard Childress Racing asked that fans, "keep Kyle and the Busch family in your prayers, and help us respect the family’s privacy at this time."

The sudden announcement came at 9:23AM CT on May 21. RCR Racing posted two minutes later.

Austin Hill will now sit behind the wheel for Busch's No. 8 car during the Coca-Cola 600. Busch is going to miss a Craftsman Truck Series race too.

“Kyle has experienced a severe illness resulting in hospitalization," a statement from his family reads.

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"He is currently undergoing treatment and will not compete in any of his scheduled activities this weekend at Charlotte Motor Speedway. We ask for understanding and privacy as our family navigates this situation.”

Busch raced last weekend during the All-Star Race at the Charlotte Motor Speedway.

Reaction to news of his illness is almost certainly amplified by a number of other recent tragedies in the sport.

In December of 2025, driver Greg Biffle was one of seven people killed when his plane crashed near an airport in North Carolina. Just a few weeks later, driver Denny Hamlin's father died in a house fire.

Who Is Kyle Busch?

Busch is one of the most successful race car drivers of all time, with more than 200 wins across the last 25 years.

He’s won two cup series championships, most recently in 2019.

He’s also become known as one of the more controversial drivers, often tangling with or provoking the competition.