On Thursday evening, the NASCAR community was plunged into mourning when two-time Cup Series champion Kyle Busch was announced dead at the age of 41.

A joint statement from NASCAR, the Busch family, and Richard Childress Racing confirmed the tragic news, reading: "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.

"Throughout a career that spanned more than two decades, Kyle set records in national series wins, won championships at NASCAR’s highest level and fostered the next generation of drivers as an owner in the Truck Series. His sharp wit and competitive spirit sparked a deep emotional connection with race fans of every age, creating the proud and loyal 'Rowdy Nation.'

"Our thoughts are with Samantha, Brexton and Lennix, Kyle and Samantha's parents, Kurt and all of Kyle's family, Richard and Judy Childress, everyone at Richard Childress Racing, his teammates, friends and fans. NASCAR lost a giant of the sport today, far too soon.

"During this incredibly difficult time, we ask everyone to respect the family's privacy and continue to keep them in your thoughts and prayers. Further updates will be shared as appropriate."

KYLE BUSCH: Remembering 'Rowdy' after NASCAR legend's tragic death at 41

NASCAR community honors Kyle Busch

The NASCAR community is a tight-knit group, and as you might expect, the news sent shockwaves through the sport.

In the hours since, several drivers and team personnel have come out and paid their respects, some of which we have gathered below.

Rick Hendrick: Busch death a 'painful shock'

Rick Hendrick was Kyle Busch's boss at the start of his Cup Series career, and wrote on Thursday: “This is an incredibly painful shock for all of us and a heartbreaking loss for the NASCAR family.

"Kyle was one of the most talented drivers I’ve ever seen and a racer in the truest sense of the word. He had a fire and competitive spirit that drove him to be great. I watched Kyle grow up in this sport and valued the friendship we shared long after he drove for our organization.

"As much as he loved to drive a race car, nothing brought him more joy than being a husband, a father, and watching his son race. On behalf of everyone at Hendrick Motorsports, our hearts are with Samantha, Brexton, Lennix, Kurt and the Busch family.”

Jeff Gordon on 'fierce competitor' Kyle Busch

Four-time Cup Series champion Jeff Gordon and Busch raced alongside each other full-time at Hendrick Motorsports between 2005 and 2007.

On Thursday, Gordon wrote: “This is a devastating loss and one that is hard for the NASCAR community to process. Kyle was a fierce competitor who demanded the very best from himself each time he put on the helmet. As teammates, I saw firsthand the passion and intensity he brought to the sport every single day. He was a champion and prolific racer who made a tremendous impact on NASCAR and was a lifelong advocate for all forms of motor sports.

"But beyond the track, he loved his family deeply and was incredibly proud of Samantha, Brexton and Lennix. My thoughts are with the entire Busch family during this extremely difficult time.”

Denny Hamlin: We've lost our Kobe Bryant

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Denny Hamlin and Kyle Busch were teammates at Joe Gibbs Racing from 2008 through 2022.

"Absolutely cannot comprehend this news," Hamlin wrote on X on Thursday night. "We just need to think of his family during this time. We love you KB."

On Instagram, Hamlin also wrote: "We’ve lost our Kobe Bryant. Today we mourn. Forever we remember. Rest in peace Kyle."

Kevin Harvick: NASCAR lost one of its giants

Kevin Harvick was one of several drivers with whom Busch shared a rivalry during his stellar career, and had the following to say on Thursday night.

"Kyle Busch and I spent years pushing each other to the limit. We raced hard, traded paint and fought for every inch because all either of us wanted to do was beat the other.

"What people may not realize is how much that rivalry drove us both. Kyle made me better because you had to be at your absolute best to beat him. Over time, that fierce competition turned into a mutual respect. As our careers evolved, so did our conversations. We talked over building race teams, life beyond the racetrack, and our families, especially raising young sons who want to be racers themselves.

"I’m deeply saddened for Samantha, Brexton and Lennix. There’s nothing that can replace a husband or a father. I’m also saddened for our sport. NASCAR lost one of its true giants, whose impact is almost beyond measure."

Dale Earnhardt Jr.: Kyle Busch one of the greatest NASCAR drivers ever

NASCAR fans across the country were gripped by Busch's rivalry with Dale Earnhardt Jr. in the late 2000s and early 2010s. On Thursday, he shared an emotional message.

"Kyle and I had a really challenging existence for many years. But 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," Earnhardt Jr. wrote on 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. We did some media together also to laugh through some of the things we put each other through many years ago.

"Most recently we had even been discussing him running my Late Model at Wilkesboro this summer. He seemed extremely happy and we had planned to meet up next Thursday to get his seat to the shop. He laughed over the idea of his fans and JRM fans having to cheer in unison during that race.

"Kyle was one of the greatest drivers in NASCAR history. No one can deny that. 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."

Brad Keselowski: His loss is all of our loss

Brad Keselowski was another driver who didn't necessarily always see eye to eye with Busch out on the racetrack. On Thursday night, he wrote about deep mutual appreciation and how he thinks it made both of them better.

"I made him earn every victory and stole a few from him along the way," Keselowski wrote on X. "We took our shots at each other, in the media and on the track. But I’d like to think that somewhere deep down there was an appreciation that we pushed each other to perform at the highest level, even if neither of us would’ve admitted it.

"Tonight, I feel a little like the coyote with no more roadrunner to chase. His loss is all of our loss, but none more so than his family’s. Thinking of Samantha, and Brexton and Lennix who lost their father today."

Jimmie Johnson: NASCAR lost one of its greatest talents today

Another former Hendrick Motorsports teammate of Busch's was seven-time Cup Series champion Jimmie Johnson.

He wrote on X: "Kyle Busch wasn’t just one of the fiercest competitors our sport has ever seen, he was one of the most talented race car drivers I’ve ever shared a track with. We spent years as teammates at Hendrick Motorsports, and even as competitors, there was always a deep respect for what he could do behind the wheel.

"Kyle pushed all of us to be better. His passion, intensity, and love for racing were unmatched, and his impact on this sport will be felt forever. I'll always remember the many laughs and conversations away from the spotlight, and most importantly the way he cared so deeply about his family.

"My heart goes out to Samantha, Brexton, Lennix, Kurt, his parents, many teammates across the industry, fans and everyone who loved Kyle.

"NASCAR lost one of its greatest talents today, and we've all lost a friend."

Kyle Larson: Busch the bar we all measured ourselves against

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Two-time and reigning Cup Series champion Kyle Larson has also reacted to the tragic news, honoring Busch's impact on his career.

"Completely heartbroken to hear the news of Kyle’s passing," Larson wrote on X. "I have so many memories of great battles with him throughout my career that I’ll cherish forever.

"It’s hard to even put into words what he meant to me and my career, whether he knew it or not. He was the bar we all measured ourselves against. Just a pure racer to the core. As real as they come.

"I hate this so much for their family, Samantha, Lennix, and especially Brexton. The bond Kyle and Brexton shared, and everything he poured into his racing and his family, was incredible. RIP KFB."

Kyle Busch tributes keep rolling in

The tributes for Busch just keep on coming in, some of which we have collected below.

Carson Hocevar:

Kyle Busch's spotter, Derek Kneeland:

Chase Briscoe:

William Byron:

Joe Gibbs Racing:

Connor Zilisch:

KYLE BUSCH: Dale Earnhardt Jr. issues emotional tribute after NASCAR legend's tragic passing