'My heart is broken': Kurt Busch issues first statement following death of brother Kyle

Kurt Busch said his heart is broken in his first public comments about his late brother, Kyle Busch.

The post was made on Monday on Instagram along with a collage of pictures of the two. Kyle Busch, the two-time NASCAR Cup Series champion and younger brother of Kurt, unexpectedly died on May 21. 

“Thank you from the bottom of my heart,” wrote Busch. “Thank you, everyone, for the well wishes, support, and love for my brother and our family. Finding a silver lining, I reflect back on the days Kyle and I raced anything we could get our hands on. From big wheels to competing on the biggest stages in motorsports, we were more than just fierce competitors. We pushed each other, challenged each other, and learned from each other. 

“Kyle, your passion, determination, and love for your family inspired everyone who knew you. No trophy, championship, or accomplishment could ever measure the impact you had on my life and on so many others. I will forever be grateful for the memories we made, the lessons you taught me, and the brotherhood we shared. My heart is broken, but I know your spirit will always ride with me. Rest easy, little brother.”

Kyle Busch died from severe pneumonia that progressed into sepsis. He was 41 years old.

Kyle Busch, left, pictured with Kurt at the latters NASCAR Hall of Fame induction in January. Chris Graythen/Getty Images

In a pre-race ceremony before the first race following his passing, Kurt Busch, his parents, as well as Kyle's widow Samantha and children Brexton, and Lennix Busch made an appearance. Busch laid eight white roses on the logo that had been painted on the infield grass, featuring the No. 8 and Kyle Busch’s signature (main image). 

Kurt Busch began his Cup Series career in 2000, and it wasn’t long before he was warning the industry that his younger brother was really the one to watch. Kyle Busch kicked off his Cup Series career in 2004 with six starts, and that same year, Kurt won his first and only championship. 

The brothers competed against each other at the Cup Series level from 2005 through Kurt’s unexpected retirement following a concussion in 2022. And, of no surprise, there were plenty of memorable moments between the two.

There was the time they wrecked with each other in the 2007 All-Star Race, and did not speak for a year before their grandmother got involved. There was a battle for the win at Kentucky in 2019 and at Atlanta in 2021. The latter was the fourth time the brothers had finished 1-2.

Kurt Busch also won an O’Reilly Auto Parts Series race driving for Kyle Busch Motorsports. Kyle Busch never won in that series in his own car.

The Busch brothers combined for 277 wins across the three NASCAR national series and four championships.