NASCAR announced Thursday that two-time Cup Series champion Kyle Busch has died at age 41 after being hospitalized with a severe illness.

The racing organization released a statement expressing its grief over the loss. "We are saddened and heartbroken to share the news of the passing of Kyle Busch, a two-time Cup champion and one of our sport's greatest and fiercest drivers," NASCAR wrote on social media.

Busch won NASCAR Cup Series championships during his career and was widely regarded as one of the sport's most accomplished drivers. He was known for his competitive nature and driving skills that made him a prominent figure in professional stock car racing.

NASCAR extended condolences to Busch's family, Richard Childress Racing, and the broader motorsports community in its announcement. The news prompted an outpouring of tributes from fellow drivers and members of the racing community.

The organization did not provide additional details about the nature of Busch's illness or the circumstances surrounding his hospitalization and death.