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Dale Earnhardt Jr. Details Mending "Challenging" Relationship With Kyle Busch Before His Death
The racing world is mourning the loss of a legend.
In the wake of NASCAR driver Kyle Busch’s death at age 41 on May 21—which was announced only hours after his family said he’d been hospitalized with an unnamed but “severe” illness—many of Kyle’s peers, fans and loved ones paid homage to his legacy and career.
Fellow driver Denny Hamlin likened Kyle to the Kobe Bryant of racing, writing on Instagram, “Today we mourn. Forever we remember. Rest in peace Kyle.”
Also among those paying tribute was driver Dale Earnhardt Jr., another legend of NASCAR racing, who spoke to how he and Kyle overcame their “challenging existence” as peers in the sport.
“We luckily took the time to figure out our differences and that was something he instigated with a conversation in his bus around how we each managed our racing teams,” Dale continued in his post to X. “I was super eager for us to get on better terms. But it was he who made the effort for that to be possible.”
And while noting he had plans to see Kyle just next week—who shared kids Brexton, 11, and Lennix, 4, with wife Samantha Busch—Dale spoke to the legacy of the driver, who holds a record 234 race wins across NASCAR’s three national series.
“Kyle was one of the greatest drivers in NASCAR history. No one can deny that,” Dale continued. “But he was also a father, a husband, brother, son, and a friend to many. My heart is broken for the Busch family. I will never be able to make sense of this loss but I am thankful that we had found a way to become friends.”
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And the NASCAR organization likewise mourned the loss of one of the sport’s greatest of all timers.
“A future Hall of Famer, Kyle was a rare talent, one who comes along once in a generation,” the sport wrote in a statement shared to social media. “He was fierce, he was passionate, he was immensely skilled and he cared deeply about the sport and fans. His sharp wit and competitive spirit sparked a deep emotional connection with race fans of every age, creating the proud and loyal 'Rowdy Nation.’”
As they put it, “NASCAR lost a giant of the sport today, far too soon.”
The suddenness of Kyle’s death also left those in and out of the racing world shaken.
“Absolute shock. Very hard to process. Hug your loved ones,” driver Brad Keselowski wrote, while media mogul Dave Portnoy noted, “What the hell? Awful out of nowhere news. RIP Rowdy.”
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And driver Ricky Stenhouse Jr. made it clear why Kyle was so admired within the sport.
“I’ve raced against Kyle for a long time, and anyone who’s lined up next to him knows exactly what made him special,” he wrote on X. “He gave you everything he had, every single lap, and he made all of us better for it.”
And it was that dedication and love for the sport that he so excelled at that Kyle leaves behind. And after he claimed a record fifth Craftsman Truck Series trophy at Dover Motor Speedway in what would become one of his last races on May 15, that passion for racing was evident.
“You take whatever you can get, man,” Kyle told reporters after the race. “You never know when the last one is going to be, so cherish them all—trust me."
For more insight into Kyle’s life on and off the racing track, read on.
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A Partner at His Side
Kyle Busch had his loved ones by his side for all of life's most important moments before his death on May 21 at the age of 41. The NASCAR driver and wife Samantha Busch were parents to son Brexton, born in 2015, and daugther Lennix, born in 2022.
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Victory for The Family
Kyle was joined by Samantha, Brexton and Lennix on Victory Lane after winning the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Fr8 Racing 208 at Echo Park Speedway in February 2026.
Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images
Girl Dad
Kyle shared a tender moment with his youngest at the NASCAR Cup Series Food City Dirt Race in 2023.
Ethan Miller/Getty Images
Football Fam
Kyle, Samantha and Brexton hit the stadium to catch a game between the Las Vegas Raiders and the Denver Broncos.
Family of Four
The quartet had recently enjoyed a snowy family vacation.
Jason Lowrie/Utopia Select/Shutterstock
Sweet Moments
Kyle and Samantha always made sure Brexton was with them for all of their important celebrations.
Chris Graythen/Getty Images
Team Effort
From the race track in Texas to his home in Las Vegas, Kyle loved making memories with his Samantha and their son Brexton.
Look of Love
"My forever valentine," Samantha wrote on Instagram when celebrating the romantic holiday. "Thank you for always making me laugh and live life to the fullest. I love you!"
Future Racer
"Congrats Brexton on a great season at @millbridgespeedway," Samantha wrote on Instagram in honor of her son's racing milestone. "We are so proud of you!!! You have grown and improved so much this season to winning your first Saturday Night Series Championship! We can't wait to see what you do this year!"
Fierce Fashion
Samantha and Kyle opted for cute matching leather jackets.
Fall Festivities
Racing around a track is cool, but so was finding the perfect pumpkin. "The most perfect pumpkins in the patch @samanthabusch @brextonbusch," Kyle wrote at Instagram. "Fun times at the @bundleofjoyfund play date."
Winner, Winner
The couple enjoyed a getaway to Las Vegas, with Kyle posting on Instagram, "I hit the jackpot w u @samanthabusch."
Ethan Miller/Getty Images
Baby Brexton
A newborn Brexton joined his mom and dad on stage at the 2015 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Awards.
Fun in the Sun
Life wasn't all work and no play for Kyle. In fact, he loved vacations with his family.
Magical Memories
Kyle and his family celebrate one of his many NASCAR wins with a trip Disney World.
Cheers to Love
"Hey pretty baby w the high heels on," Kyle wrote on Instagram when enjoying a romantic evening at La Belle Helene Restaurant in Charlotte, N.C.
Chris Graythen/Getty Images
Family Affair
When Kyle won the NASCAR Xfinity Series Pit Boss 250 in May 2021, his wife Samantha and son Brexton took a trip down victory lane in Austin, Texas to celebrate the driver.
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